East London boxer Hlumelo Gingxana has put the provincial title fiasco behind him and is itching to pick up his career, starting with a clash against Ndibulele Ngqamaza at East London’s Guild Theatre on Sunday.
Gingxana’s career nosedived when his provincial lightweight title challenge against Siseko Makeleni was derailed in March after Makeleni pulled out of the fight, citing an injury.
However, Makeleni’s shenanigans (partying and lack of training) were well documented in the build-up to the aborted bout while Gingxana was grinding it out in the gym for three months.
Gingxana’s management requested that he be matched against a stand-in opponent for an interim belt, with Maqhawe Damoyi secured for the mooted clash.
However, Boxing SA disqualified Damoyi at the 11th hour because he had come off a loss, forcing Gingxana to withdraw when he realised that no title would be at stake.
He then pleaded in vain with BSA to be fully compensated, arguing that it was not his fault the fight never took place.
After Gingxana failed to get recourse, he decided to dust himself off and revive his career.
“We realised that this was getting us nowhere because obviously we’re never going to get recourse,” his manager, Lonki Witbooi, said.
“This issue affected Hlumelo badly and it threatened to derail his career, so we had to sit down with him and remind him that no-one could take [away] his talent.
“What happened, happened so we must put it behind us and continue with our career.”
Witbooi said Gingxana had been confident he would have beaten Makeleni and taken a giant step towards a national title shot.
“By now we would be provincial champion and who knows what doors that would have opened for us?
“But it is no use crying over spilt milk now.”
Witbooi said he had been pleasantly surprised by how Gingxana had accepted the situation and rededicated himself to working hard in his preparations for Sunday’s clash.
“He is bubbly and in high spirits.”
The prospect of sharing the stage with his younger brother, Oyisa, for the first time has proved to be a double motivation.
Oyisa will face Athule Ncedani in a junior bantamweight clash in a quest to preserve his unbeaten record in two bouts to emulate his sibling, whose lone blemish is a draw in four fights.
The brothers’ bouts are part of KayB Promotion’s star-studded bill at the Guild, a venue often used for concerts, dialogues and stage productions.
KayB boss Mzi Booi said Hlumelo could punch his way to a contract if he won impressively on Sunday.
“He is a talented kid and we will be monitoring his progress,” he said.
The bill features rising stars topped by a featherweight scrap between two-division provincial champion Bongani Fule and Siphosihle Mpolweni.
The tournament starts at 2pm, with tickets costing R80 at the door.
Daily Dispatch
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