A misunderstanding between former world title contender Nhlanhla Tyirha and his management over plans for the fighter’s future has prompted him to leave the All Winners Boxing Club.
The startling news was confirmed by the club’s manager, Mla Tengimfene, who ended Tyirha’s long inactivity by getting him back into the ring just more than a month ago.
Tengimfene ensured that the Mdantsane fighter avenged his upset knockout loss to Malawian journeyman George Kandulo, whom he beat on points at East London’s Orient Theatre in August.
Tyirha, who was rated highly by international boxing bodies, was on the verge of a world title shot before Kandulo — who arrived as a last-minute substitute for their July 2022 junior-flyweight clash — brought his world crashing down.
The loss had far-reaching ramifications for the southpaw from NU7, who suffered personal challenges, even announcing he was quitting the sport after hopping from one stable to the other in a failed attempt to get his career back on track.
Tengimfene then took Tyirha under his wing, enrolled him in rehabilitation sessions and ended his social media activity.
The veteran manager said this week he was stunned when the boxer sent him a text message informing him that he would be joining his former mentor, Thembelani Shakes Hlombe.
“We had sat down after the Kandulo rematch and discussed that judging by his performance we would have to gradually bring him back to the top by going via the SA title route,” Tengimfene said.
“He seemed to understand and we had already secured a top-rated opponent which would have vaulted him into title contention if he won, especially now that the title is vacant.”
However, Tyirha said later he wanted to campaign internationally in his quest to reclaim his world ratings.
Though he had demanded the rematch against Kandulo to heal psychologically from the upset loss, he did not display hunger to put the journeyman in his place.
Instead, he fought scared despite winning the fight, a performance which convinced Tengimfene that the boxer had yet to fully recover from the previous loss.
Hlombe confirmed that Tyirha had approached him, asking him to handle his career. However, he had yet to report to his gymnasium.
“He spoke to me to help him and as a boxer who has been with me for a while and [because he] is like a son to me, I agreed,” he said.
However, reports have since surfaced that Tyirha left for Cape Town where he planned to train.
Tengimfene said he was happy with the role he had played in bringing the boxer back and avenging his loss to Kandulo.
However, the 24-year-old was wrapping up his rehabilitation sessions when he decided to leave, leaving his therapist disappointed.
“I have done everything in my power to help him and I hold no grudges.
“I wish him all the best in his future career.”
DispatchLIVE
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