Bongani Magasela
Bongani Magasela
The once envied marriage between South Africa's only six-time world champion in three different weight divisions Cassius Baloyi and trainer-manager Nick Durandt could be over.
"I am not sure if I am staying with Nick. Our contract ended a long time ago, and I have not renewed it," said Baloyi.
Baloyi turned professional under the same mentor in 1994. They parted ways in 1998 after Durandt's alleged racial remarks which saw a number of top fighters such as Thulani "Sugarboy" Malinga and Jacob Mofokeng leave his establishment.
Baloyi rejoined Durandt in 2005.
The former IBF champ dropped the bombshell on Monday, two days after losing his junior lightweight world title to Malcolm Klassen via a seventh-round stoppage.
"I lost to a better boxer," Baloyi said straight up. "But I was also not okay mentally because I did not want Nick in my corner. He did not give me the opportunity to choose a trainer - something that he did with Malcolm.
"They have a good relationship. They spent too much time on the phone. Many times when I trained in Norwood, before I could finish my sessions, either Malcolm or his preferred trainer Gert Strydom would be there. I suspect Nick sold me out."
One other thing Baloyi said affected his mindset was Boxing SA official Loyiso Mtya's "strange" drive to Durandt's gym with trainer and managerial contracts.
"We did not all join Nick at the same time, so how can our contracts expire at the same time. But I did not avail myself," he said.
Regarding his future, Baloyi, 34, warned: "Don't write me off yet."
Durandt sounded shocked when he heard the news.
"Cassius never said anything when we met around 1pm on Monday. He cannot say he suspects that I sold him out. He has himself to blame. He refused to train with me in the mornings. All of a sudden he did not like my training times - something he did for every fight," Durandt said.
"Cassius is a big man and he should have told me he did not want me in his corner. Malcolm is my fighter, so he is allowed to come to my gym in Norwood, which is my office. Baloyi's gym is in Bree Street. Look, Malcolm put 2000 percent in that fight while Baloyi put only 20 percent," said Durandt adding that it would have been impossible for all his fighters to drive to BSA's office.
"I personally invited Loyiso Mtya to my gym. But no one was forced to sign."
Baloyi won the WBU super bantamweight, IBO and IBF junior lightweight belts under Durandt. He won the WBU featherweight strap under Elias Tshabalala.
Meanwhile, Jarred Lovett's 12- month suspended sentence for misconduct by Boxing SA means he will continue to fight on condition he is not found guilty of a similar offence in that period.
'i may dump nick'
Bongani Magasela
Bongani Magasela
The once envied marriage between South Africa's only six-time world champion in three different weight divisions Cassius Baloyi and trainer-manager Nick Durandt could be over.
"I am not sure if I am staying with Nick. Our contract ended a long time ago, and I have not renewed it," said Baloyi.
Baloyi turned professional under the same mentor in 1994. They parted ways in 1998 after Durandt's alleged racial remarks which saw a number of top fighters such as Thulani "Sugarboy" Malinga and Jacob Mofokeng leave his establishment.
Baloyi rejoined Durandt in 2005.
The former IBF champ dropped the bombshell on Monday, two days after losing his junior lightweight world title to Malcolm Klassen via a seventh-round stoppage.
"I lost to a better boxer," Baloyi said straight up. "But I was also not okay mentally because I did not want Nick in my corner. He did not give me the opportunity to choose a trainer - something that he did with Malcolm.
"They have a good relationship. They spent too much time on the phone. Many times when I trained in Norwood, before I could finish my sessions, either Malcolm or his preferred trainer Gert Strydom would be there. I suspect Nick sold me out."
One other thing Baloyi said affected his mindset was Boxing SA official Loyiso Mtya's "strange" drive to Durandt's gym with trainer and managerial contracts.
"We did not all join Nick at the same time, so how can our contracts expire at the same time. But I did not avail myself," he said.
Regarding his future, Baloyi, 34, warned: "Don't write me off yet."
Durandt sounded shocked when he heard the news.
"Cassius never said anything when we met around 1pm on Monday. He cannot say he suspects that I sold him out. He has himself to blame. He refused to train with me in the mornings. All of a sudden he did not like my training times - something he did for every fight," Durandt said.
"Cassius is a big man and he should have told me he did not want me in his corner. Malcolm is my fighter, so he is allowed to come to my gym in Norwood, which is my office. Baloyi's gym is in Bree Street. Look, Malcolm put 2000 percent in that fight while Baloyi put only 20 percent," said Durandt adding that it would have been impossible for all his fighters to drive to BSA's office.
"I personally invited Loyiso Mtya to my gym. But no one was forced to sign."
Baloyi won the WBU super bantamweight, IBO and IBF junior lightweight belts under Durandt. He won the WBU featherweight strap under Elias Tshabalala.
Meanwhile, Jarred Lovett's 12- month suspended sentence for misconduct by Boxing SA means he will continue to fight on condition he is not found guilty of a similar offence in that period.
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