Bongani Magasela

Bongani Magasela

Philip Ndou is back - and the Time Bomb is about to explode.

This skeletal fighter from Thohoyandou in Venda, who has ended many careers with his crippling power, has been given a clean bill of health by two neurologists. He retired in 2004 because of a cyst on his brain.

He had been waiting for a positive result since he announced his wish for a comeback last month.

Ndou, 31, had earlier been given the go-ahead after a medical checkup.

But Boxing SA (BSA) ordered him to go for more examinations, which included thorough brain scans. BSA's Loyiso Mtya revealed this week that two neurologists have cleared Ndou.

"This is what we've been waiting for. We could not just allow him to renew his licence," Mtwa said. "I can tell you now that the Time Bomb is ticking."

Ndou turned professional as a skinny 20-year-old featherweight in 1979 under Nick Durandt but will now be guided by trainer Micky Castellan.

He started his career in fine style in the UK. He was then promoted by Branco Milenkovic.

Ndou went on to become a knockout artist with 30 short route wins from 34 fights. But half of those fights were under Golden Gloves, which he joined after ditching Milenkovic.

Ndou's big name victims include Jackie Gunguluza and Cassius Baloyi while Anthony Campbell, Floyd Mayweather and Isaac Hlatswayo defused the "Time Bomb".

Ndou said he will campaign in the welterweight division, which is ruled with iron fists by the sensational Bongani Mwelase.

"S*#t is gonna hit the fan," warned the straight-talking Ndou, a former SA, WBA Inter-Continental featherweight, WBU and WBC International junior lightweight champion.