Former SA flyweight champion Ncedo Cecane has vowed to continue his mission of unearthing boxing talent despite suffering the departure of his fighters when they begin to make their mark in the sport.
Cecane, from Sada but based in Mdantsane, has transitioned into a top trainer since hanging up his gloves.
Among the boxers he developed is current SA junior-bantamweight champion Landile Ngxeke, who recently won the WBO bantamweight crown after beating Argentinian Luciano Baldor in Soweto a fortnight ago.
Ngxeke is now training at Xaba Boxing Academy gymnasium, having dumped Cecane despite their previous close relationship.
New professional boxer Tiisetso Matikinca is the latest to bolt Cecane’s stable to join Sean Smith in Johannesburg.
The 20-year-old former amateur standout made his professional debut in the undercard of the Ngxeke-Baldor bout, scoring a points victory over Mamelo Sithole in a bantamweight duel.
His departure and decision to ditch the amateur ranks, where he won numerous titles and was one of the favourites to win a gold medal at the Olympics, sent shock waves through the boxing fraternity.
Cecane was also shocked when the boxer left him, after having forged a close relationship with his family since Matikinca started training with him in Mdantsane, from Mvezo in Mthatha.
“I heard Matikinca left and had decided to fight as a professional in Gauteng,” Cecane said.
“He never even tried to talk to me about this, despite our relationship spanning several years.”
I was heavily involved when this boy went to the mountain and even his mother knows that
Their close relationship saw Cecane play a crucial role when Matikinca went to initiation school.
“I was heavily involved when this boy went to the mountain and even his mother knows that.”
However, Matikinca sheepishly denied that he did not inform Cecane of his decision to train with Smith when asked by the Daily Dispatch at the fight’s weigh-in.
“I told him,” was all the boxer said before ducking away.
The defections are shining a light on the young and underprivileged trainers who unearth talent and polish them only for them to be poached by well-off Johannesburg trainers, without compensation.
Some trainers have thrown in the towel rather than keep developing talent for their wealthier counterparts.
Cecane said he would not punish needy boxers because of his experience.
“Sports development is my passion and it pains me to see talent being ignored.”
Cecane has roped in the corporate sector to help organise amateur tournaments across the province.
He has already staged tournaments in Mdantsane, Mthatha, Makhanda and Dimbaza, with Sterkspruit the latest to host an event at the weekend.
Big organisations such as the Eastern Cape Gambling Board, MTN and a slew of others have teamed up with Mpucuko Boxing Club to embark on a campaign to develop boxing through the tournaments.
“I cannot thank our financial partners enough for coming on board to do this community development initiative,” Cecane said.
The tournaments also serve as a platform for companies to educate the community about their programmes including responsible gambling.
The events have attracted big attendance, with young boxers showcasing their talent as they pursue their boxing dreams to be the province’s next world champions.
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