Mdantsane hot prospect Lonwabo Sizani may have used boxing as a stopgap while waiting for the green light to pursue his university course, but his fiery power has earned him rave reviews in the ring.
After passing grade 12 with a B symbol, the 22-year-old was told to improve his marks in two subjects to qualify for his preferred varsity course.
While doing that, he put the extra time on his hands to good use and returned to the ring, reeling off three brutal knockouts in as many bouts.
Guided by former SA junior bantamweight champion Mzi Dintsi, who is one of a slew of champions produced by the late Mzi Mnguni, Sizani has cut all three opponents down to size within two rounds.
Two succumbed to his power in the first round, while the other was dropped hard in the opening stanza but managed to scrape through to the second.
Despite his crippling power, Sizani sports a skinny body with lean arms and an innocent look. He often also comes in lighter than his opponents.
With veteran mentor Bobbin Sityana part of his team, the unassuming young fighter has set tongues wagging and his handlers have been bombarded with suggestions that they seek a top-rated opponent for him.
But Sityana wants him to get a proper seasoning before unleashing him against the best in the junior lightweight division to avoid what happened to his former charge, Khululekile Sibeko.
Sibeko was tipped for big things going into his SA junior lightweight title challenge against Mzonke Fana in 2001, but was stopped in seven rounds.
Sityana was willing to roll the dice against the highly rated Mhlanganisi Sogcwayi, but Sogcwayi turned down the fight.
This left Sizani scrambling for an opponent before settling for Malibongwe Bakalisi from Makhanda. The pair square off at the Guild Theatre on Sunday.
Dintsi said he was teaching Sizwani not to rely on brute power alone but boxing technique.
It is not like he comes out intending to knock out opponents, but they are unable to take his power
“It is not like he comes out intending to knock out opponents, but they are unable to take his power,” he said.
“We are developing the other facet of his boxing, but it all ends before we can see if he is perfecting it.
“But as they say, there is no bonus for overtime in boxing, so the quicker they fall, the better.”
Sityana is renowned for his eye in spotting talent, including the late Sinethemba Magibisela and Mveleli Luzipho’s sons, Mbulelo and Simthembile.
He predicts big things for the young knockout artist, but emphasises that he does not want him to abandon his studies.
“Education is very important, so while he is doing well in boxing, his studies should come first.”
KayB Promotions boss Mzi Booi, whose company is staging the fight as part of a 10-bout development tournament, has no illusions that Sizani could go on to become the next big star.
“We have been featuring him in our tournaments because we identified him as a special talent and we expect him to grow with us to bigger things,” he said.
Daily Dispatch
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