Outburst to cost trainers
BOXING trainers Nick Durandt and Vuyani Bungu could find themselves in hot water after their altercation on a live SABC boxing show at Carnival City, Brakpan, last Wednesday.
These giants of local boxing will have to explain their unbecoming conduct in full view of fans inside the ring after the stoppage of an IBF world championship that was televised live on Blow by Blow.
The incident occurred just after Swiss referee Toni Tiberi had intervened in the fifth round for a troubled Zolani Tete, who was taking punishment from IBF flyweight kingpin Moruti Mthalane.
Durandt and Bungu, who train Mthalane and Tete, respectively, stood toe-to-toe and exchanged words. No one was close enough to hear the exact words uttered but the trainers were surely not making an appointment to meet for a cup of coffee.
No punches were traded but the entire fracas was a poor show for boxing.
Durandt and Bungu, who inspire millions of boxing lovers young and old, will face the wrath of Boxing South Africa, the national governing body, on Friday.
A guilty party could be fined, suspended and forced to make a formal apology to the offended party, BSA and the general public.
Durandt apologised later at the after-conference.
BSA acting chief Loyiso Mtya condemned the behaviour of these two admired boxing personalities. The always colourful Durandt is revered for producing 91 local and international boxing champions, while Bungu is holds the record of 13 defences of his IBF junior featherweight world title.
Bungu is a living legend and an inspiration to those who were born without a silver spoon in their mouths.
It was Mthalane's first defence of the title he won in November last year after defeating Julio Miranda on points at Johannesburg's Wembley Arena, while Tete tasted defeat after 13 wins.
The fight last Wednesday night topped the African Glory four-IBF championship event, which was presented by Branco Sports Productions inside the 5000-seat arena known as the Big Top.
In another fight on the night, Mzonke Fana outpointed Cassius Baloyi for the vacant IBF junior lightweight title.
