Bongani Magasela
Bongani Magasela
The 10-year ban - or option of a fine of R20000 - imposed on boxing trainer Eugene Khanyile for cheating, has been branded a joke by the boxing fraternity.
Edward Mpofu, the former Gauteng and SA junior featherweight champion, and Khanyile were found guilty of using plaster of Paris in Mpofu's bandages for his six-round fight with Thanduxolo Dyani last month.
Mpofu, 36, was banned for life while Khanyile was given an option to pay R20000, of which R10000 was suspended for five years.
But boxing personalities were appalled at the verdict delivered by Advocate Kanene Dokolwana on Tuesday after a hearing that lasted two days at a beachfront hotel in East London.
Khanyile is a former Transvaal super featherweight champion. Mxolisi Gumede, his then stablemate at the Yankee Boxing Club of trainer Solly Selebi in Meadowlands, is one of the three boxing personalities who were grossly disappointed by the sentence.
The others were Andre Thysse, the former SA and Commonwealth super middleweight champion, and celebrated mentor Nick Durandt.
"I don't understand the reason behind this whole thing. These two gentlemen were charged with the same offence and were found guilty, but different punishment was meted out.
"Are you saying Mpofu was guiltier than Khanyile. Who came with the idea of the plaster of Paris, and also what did the other party say?" asked a dumbfounded Gumede, a former SA lightweight champion who is now a promoter under Ethembeni Promotions.
Thysse said Khanyile should have been banned for life because he bandaged Mpofu's hands.
"Give Mpofu an option to pay a fine because this is his livelihood. Khanyile's life will come together again once he pays R10 000, which is nothing to the man who trained world champions," he said.
Durandt said: "The sentence is extremely light. Money can be made again. Mpofu is a scapegoat here. Khanyile should have been suspended from the game for a certain amount of time to understand the severity of his actions."
A source revealed that Dyani laid charges with the SAPS and a case of intention to do grievous bodily harm was opened.
khanyile 'off hook'
Bongani Magasela
Bongani Magasela
The 10-year ban - or option of a fine of R20000 - imposed on boxing trainer Eugene Khanyile for cheating, has been branded a joke by the boxing fraternity.
Edward Mpofu, the former Gauteng and SA junior featherweight champion, and Khanyile were found guilty of using plaster of Paris in Mpofu's bandages for his six-round fight with Thanduxolo Dyani last month.
Mpofu, 36, was banned for life while Khanyile was given an option to pay R20000, of which R10000 was suspended for five years.
But boxing personalities were appalled at the verdict delivered by Advocate Kanene Dokolwana on Tuesday after a hearing that lasted two days at a beachfront hotel in East London.
Khanyile is a former Transvaal super featherweight champion. Mxolisi Gumede, his then stablemate at the Yankee Boxing Club of trainer Solly Selebi in Meadowlands, is one of the three boxing personalities who were grossly disappointed by the sentence.
The others were Andre Thysse, the former SA and Commonwealth super middleweight champion, and celebrated mentor Nick Durandt.
"I don't understand the reason behind this whole thing. These two gentlemen were charged with the same offence and were found guilty, but different punishment was meted out.
"Are you saying Mpofu was guiltier than Khanyile. Who came with the idea of the plaster of Paris, and also what did the other party say?" asked a dumbfounded Gumede, a former SA lightweight champion who is now a promoter under Ethembeni Promotions.
Thysse said Khanyile should have been banned for life because he bandaged Mpofu's hands.
"Give Mpofu an option to pay a fine because this is his livelihood. Khanyile's life will come together again once he pays R10 000, which is nothing to the man who trained world champions," he said.
Durandt said: "The sentence is extremely light. Money can be made again. Mpofu is a scapegoat here. Khanyile should have been suspended from the game for a certain amount of time to understand the severity of his actions."
A source revealed that Dyani laid charges with the SAPS and a case of intention to do grievous bodily harm was opened.
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