Rising boxing star Athenkosi Thunzi is determined to beat autism and opponents in the ring in his quest for the sport’s pinnacle.
The unbeaten 20-year-old will take on Bonginkosi Solani in a mini-flyweight clash in a KayB Promotion show in East London on April 27.
The bout will mark the fourth time he steps in the ring since he found solace in boxing to help him deal with autism.
Athenkosi, who also excels in other sports such as athletics and soccer for which he represents the provincial teams, was diagnosed with the condition as was his brother, Chumani.
The siblings turned to boxing which psychiatrists identified as one of the remedies to counter intellectual disability.
After struggling with his studies at Mzomhle Senior Secondary, Athenkosi’s teachers referred him to a technical school at Second Chance in Amalinda.
While they are classified as having a mild form of autism, the siblings display incredible brilliance laced with remarkable bravery in the ring.
This was evident in their slugfests when Chumani sensationally stopped Luvuyo Mputhi to win the provincial junior-welterweight title in March.
Maintaining incessant offence, Chumani’s big heart helped him to pick himself off the deck to overwhelm his foe in six rounds in an instant classic.
However, this fighting style proved his downfall in his next bout against cagey veteran Aphiwe Mboyiya, who never engaged in a toe-to-toe clash with him.
Unable to land his vaunted punches, Chumani gradually became frustrated and eventually quit in the sixth round for only his second loss in 10 bouts.
The trait was also evident in Athenkosi when he overcame a weight disadvantage to beat Xolani Mbatha in a battle of the unbeaten in East London in November.
Displaying incredible bravery by matching Mbatha punch-for-punch despite the size disadvantage, Athenkosi underlined his impeccable boxing skills leading to him being touted as a future champion.
His manager, Vuyolomzi Mtekwana, whose background as an educator played a crucial role in Anthenkosi’s boxing career, commended the sport for helping the boxer deal with his autism.
“Boxing has really helped him because as a combat sport, it allows him to get rid of his bottled-up behaviour,” he said.
“The furious punching of a punch bag and mitts is a reliever.”
Honing his skills at the Sisonke Boxing Club in NU8 Mdantsane under trainers Velile Damoyi and Nkoi Matshoba, Athenkosi is one of the shining stars at the gymnasium.
Matshoba, renowned for unearthing an abundance of talent including former world champion Nkosinathi Joyi, said Athenkosi never deviated from the fight strategy regardless of what his opponent did.
“If you give him instructions, he goes out and does exactly that,” he said.
KayB boss Mzi Booi, whose show will be streamed by Viva Nation TV, owned by Arena Holdings, said he was working on getting Athenkosi in the ratings.
“Last time, I was told that he needed to have three bouts before he could be rated but now he will be going for his fourth and he is yet to be ranked,” he said.
“There is no denying his talent and eventually he will be given his dues.”
While Chumani is still serving an automatic suspension due to his stoppage loss, Athenkosi is soldiering on with the double mission of winning his battle in and out of the ring.
Daily Dispatch
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