Tony Batala’s boxing career was overshadowed by the fight which never took place between him and eventual boxing legend Vuyani Bungu, who paid tribute to his fallen rival.
Batala died at Frere Hospital on New Year’s Day after relapsing from a heart attack he suffered previously. He was 57.
Like his good friend Phumzile Dubase, who died in August, Batala forged a brotherly relationship with Bungu after their highly anticipated fight did not materialise in the early 1990s.
The fight split Duncan Village, Batala’s place of birth, and Mdantsane down the middle, with fans of the rival townships confident their charges would prevail.
At every gathering, be it in shebeens or at traditional and religious ceremonies, the highly anticipated fight dominated debates and arguments which often turned heated.
This reporter recalls a family friend from Duncan Village embroiled in a heated argument with his uncle over who would win.
When the fight failed to materialise, Duncan Village fans accused Bungu of running scared.
Bungu confirmed that he was stopped in the streets by fans who demanded that the bout go ahead.
“The fight would have been another addition to the storied rivalry between Duncan Village and Mdantsane, but those close to Batala did not really want it,” Bungu said.
“For instance, his father, who was involved in his career, said Batala was not ready for me and refused to facilitate it but fans were not aware of that, so they blamed me.”
It was only after Bungu went on to achieve major milestones — including scoring a world upset of the year by dethroning Kennedy McKinney of his IBF junior featherweight title in 1994 — that Duncan Village fans begrudgingly acknowledged that he would have beaten their hero.
Bungu went on to set the record for most world title defences by an SA boxer when he retained the IBF crown 13 times.
Batala’s career never scaled the same heights, and he finished with four losses in 18 bouts without winning a title.
Like the entire East London boxing fraternity, Bungu said he had been shocked to learn about Batala’s death, though he admitted that it had been a while since he last saw him.
“I think the last time we met was at a funeral in Duncan Village two years ago and as it is always the case when ex-boxers meet, we reminisced about good old days.
“To say I am gutted by his death would be an understatement, but we must learn to accept that these things happen even though they are difficult to handle.
“My heartfelt condolences to his family and the boxing fraternity at large.”
Batala’s sister Nonzuzo Batala said the family was devastated by his death.
She said Batala would be buried at Mbiza location in Ngqamakhwe on Saturday.
Fans will get an opportunity to bid farewell to the boxer at a memorial service at Billy Francis Hall in Duncan Village on Wednesday from 3pm.
DispatchLIVE
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