Bongani Magasela

Bongani Magasela

A manager believes that after 23 years, Soweto has someone to rekindle the glory days of the late national junior welterweight champion, Arthur "Fighting Prince" Mayisela.

Steve Mayisela, the son of the deceased "People's Champion", believes that fighter is Boitshepo "Invincible" Mandawe.

This 25-year-old rock-solid youngster from Meadowlands already holds the Baby Champs welterweight title. He is undefeated after seven fights (5 KOs).

Mayisela manages Mandawe while his skills are honed by Jerry Phukuje. Their gym in Meadowlands Zone 3 has been named the Fighting Prince Boxing Club.

Phukuje is known for doing a marvelous job with William Gare before they split in 2007. Their bone of contention was the financial injection and a sleek Mercedes-Benz from Free State promoter Blacky Seoe.

Mayisela told Sowetan early this week that he saw his father in Mandawe, which is why he chose to manage him.

"That is why I did not think twice about getting involved with him when Jerry told me that Mandawe had joined him," he said.

"We all agreed that the gym should be named after my father. My main responsibility is to introduce Mandawe to boxing fans around the country."

Mayisela revealed that be boxed briefly as an amateur but quit to focus on his education.

"I worked for Yfm in sales and marketing for four years and I also manage my own businesses, so I know what I will be doing," said Mayisela who bears a striking resemblance to his father.

Mandawe blew Andrew Mathiya away in two rounds last weekend. He said the task given him is tough but he is up for it.

"Fighting Prince" lit up the ring while igniting fires in the hearts, minds and souls of black South Africans whenever he fought during the height of the apartheid years. He died under the wheels of a speeding car in 1986 at the age of 33.