SA mini-flyweight champion Siyakholwa “Demon” Kuse continues his march towards complete rehabilitation when he vies for the African Boxing Union (ABU) title against Tanzanian Halid Kalama at the Thobi Kula Indoor Centre in Komani on Sunday.
Kuse is one of a slew of boxers who were swallowed up by drugs, which led to him surrendering his national title to Bangile Nyangani in 2021 before joining renowned international boxing manager Mlandeli Tengimfene and mending his ways.
Tengimfene, who has a history of helping drug-addicted boxers, took Kuse to a rehabilitation centre and whipped him back into shape for the ring before going for a rematch against Nyangani.
Among his motivational talks was reading the fighter a Daily Dispatch story which called on him to exorcise his demons if he wanted to get his career back on track.
The 23-year-old Mdantsane southpaw produced possibly his best performance when he flummoxed Nyangani in a unanimous decision to regain the belt.
The feat marked the turning point in Kuse’s journey to rewrite his life story by transforming from drug-reliance to a boxing star.
Having crashed into the ratings of the sport’s international sanctioning bodies, Kuse now embarks on a path to conquer the world in what could well become a unique story fit for a captivating documentary.
Tengimfene, who introduced the “demon” moniker as Kuse’s ring name, said his charge had not looked back since starting his rehabilitation journey.
With Buffalo City Metro mayor Princess Faku also encouraging him not to look back, Kuse is determined to continue with his mission to turn his life around.
“We want to write a unique story about Kuse’s life and we are on track to doing that,” Tengimfene said.
“From drug addict to world boxing champion and the journey continues in Komani on Sunday.”
Kuse already commands 13th spot in the WBC ratings and winning the continental title would vault him close to title contention.
The fight is part of the Last Born Promotions show, aimed at returning boxing to Komani, which hosted the provincial junior bantamweight title clash between Enathi Stelle and Bagcina Gowa — staged by late promoter Thando Zonke — in February.
On the same card, former world title contender Azinga Fuzile will finally return to the ring after a 17-month layoff when he faces another Tanzanian, Emmanuel Amos, in a junior lightweight clash.
Kuse’s former foe, Athenkosi Thongwana will also try to rebound to winning ways after suffering a crushing knockout loss to Mpumelelo Tshabalala in an SA junior-flyweight title clash in March.
Thongwana, who fought to a draw with Kuse, will face Asanda Jacob in a six-round junior-flyweight scrap.
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