The unlikely run by Johannesburg boxer Bhekizizwe Maitse in the WBC Grand Prix series has made him flip the script by setting up camp in East London for the next round of the lucrative event.
While East London boxers often relocate to Johannesburg when preparing for major bouts, Maitse arrived in East London to begin training at Mdantsane’s All Winners Boxing Club under the tutelage of former three-time world champion Zolani Tete.
Maitse, who is one of three SA boxers competing in the series, advanced to the quarterfinals after beating Tanzanian Juma Choki in the featherweight division in June.
Having beaten Colombian Rodolfo Puentes in the last 32, he will face American Iman Lee in Saudi Arabia on August 16.
His phenomenal run has already earned him more than R300,000, with more on offer if he inflicts the first loss on Lee.
Maitse was trained by Tete after they struck a deal when Tete used the WBC gymnasium in Johannesburg, overseen by Brad Norman, when he guided Siyakholwa Kuse to a points win over Beaven Sibanda in December.
Maitse decided to retain the former world champion to help him get over the finishing line in his pursuit of fame and fortune.
All Winners manager Mla Tengimfene, who facilitated the deal, said Maitse would spend four weeks grinding it out under Tete’s eye to prepare for Lee.
“Norman’s gym always helps our boxers when they prepare for fights in Johannesburg so this time he felt a change of scenery would be good for Maitse,” he said.
“This is part of our partnership which is already bearing fruit if you look at how our respective boxers have fared.”
Maitse arrived with other boxers training at Norman’s Gymnasium, including Nigerian Michael Adesodun, Mayamko Mozland and Khulakakuhle Dlamini, who are preparing for their own bout in Cape Town on August 2.
While the exciting scenario would be for Maitse to spar with Duncan Village’s Siyabulela Hem after Hem virtually sent Maitse’s father, Bongani Mahlangu, into retirement when he beat him twice in junior-featherweight title clashes, Tengimfene ruled out Hem being roped in to help.
He said the partnership with Norman had extended to a promotional joint venture, which would see his Last Born Promotions and Norman’s Warrior Ascent Promotions co-promote tournaments.
The Johannesburg boxers will benefit from All Winners’ partnership with local recreational training facilities, including Sterling Body 3.0, as they ramp up preparations for crucial upcoming bouts.
“We are in the process of rebranding All Winners with WBC logos in line with the partnership with Norman and I can assure you East London boxers will benefit from this.”
Daily Dispatch
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