Relief as Kuse denies defection reports

The management of world title-bound Siyakholwa Kuse breathed a sigh of relief after finally tracking him down and Kuse assured them he would return to training on Monday.

Kuse had not reported to training since beating Beaven Sibanda to win the WBC silver mini-flyweight title in Johannesburg on December 6.

Rumours started swirling that he had left All Winners Boxing Club under manager Mlandeli Tengimfene and had been seen in Johannesburg.

The reports spread like wildfire in boxing circles and social media, prompting Tengimfene to send numerous messages to the boxer to no avail.

“I started to panic when he did not take my calls nor reply to my messages,” he said.

“I decided to go straight to his home and he said he had been busy with personal stuff.”

Tengimfene had resurrected Kuse’s career when the boxer went off the rails amid drug addiction which led to him surrendering his SA title to Bangile Nyangani in 2021.

Tengimfene enrolled him in a rehabilitation centre before guiding him to a rematch against Nyangani, whom he dethroned to regain the belt.

Adding to the rumours was Tengimfene’s failure to attend the WBC Convention in Germany in November to lobby for Kuse for elevation in ratings.

Instead, Brian Mitchell, who manages Sibanda, successfully argued for Kuse’s case at the convention leading to him getting elevated to the third spot.

However, Tengimfene explained he had been busy organising the Last Born Promotions tournament for December 15, which was later postponed to March 30.

The tournament will feature Kuse’s recently relinquished SA mini-flyweight title being contested by his stablemate Mthokozisi Ngxaka against Thami Luthuli.

Kuse promised to help Ngxaka prepare for the fight to return the favour after his stablemate also helped him with the Sibanda clash.

“He is aware that he must return the favour and he will be starting in training on Monday.”

Kuse is expected to challenge for the WBC title held by Melvin Jerusalem if the Filipino beats Yudai Shigeoka in a rematch in Japan on March 30.

Daily Dispatch