DINGAAN "The Rose of Soweto" Thobela is once again a licensed professional boxer. The former WBC middleweight champion's licence expires on March 21 next year.
The boxing fraternity and the general public had been waiting with bated breath to see if Thobela would pass all the required medical tests, including a brain scan, in order for Boxing South Africa to relicense him.
"I'm very excited. This will afford me the opportunity to make history by winning the South African heavyweight championship when I actually started as a lightweight fighter," said Thobela, who wants to challenge Wiseman Dlomo for that crown.
"I have already started training because I need to come in fit so that I must do what I know best. There must be no excuses. I hope I will be ready to rumble in September."
Thobela turns 46 on September 24.
"This is the year of senior citizens in boxing," he said, referring to recent victories by ring legends Bernard Hopkins and Francois Botha.
Hopkins, 46, beat 28-year-old Jean Pascal for the WBC and IBO light heavyweight titles on May 21 while 42-year-old Botha stopped Flo Simba, 21, in the sixth round on June 4.
"Hopkins and Botha taught Jean and Flo boxing lessons and that is exactly what I will do to Dlomo," vowed Thobela.
He almost came into blows with Dlomo at KwaMashu Indoor Centre in Durban on Thursday. They were guests of honour of boxing promoter Thulani Magudulela who was presented a tournament there.
Dlomo, 32, who is known as "Angisabilutho" (I fear nothing), did not take kindly to the fact that Thobela was given preference over him to address the fans.
While Thobela was talking, Dlomo snatched the microphone from him and said angrily: "Yimina obusayo lapha - I'm the ruler here and if you doubt it, let's get going now."
Police officers stepped in to prevent a bare-knuckle brawl.
'Senior citizen' Thobela gets licence
DINGAAN "The Rose of Soweto" Thobela is once again a licensed professional boxer. The former WBC middleweight champion's licence expires on March 21 next year.
The boxing fraternity and the general public had been waiting with bated breath to see if Thobela would pass all the required medical tests, including a brain scan, in order for Boxing South Africa to relicense him.
"I'm very excited. This will afford me the opportunity to make history by winning the South African heavyweight championship when I actually started as a lightweight fighter," said Thobela, who wants to challenge Wiseman Dlomo for that crown.
"I have already started training because I need to come in fit so that I must do what I know best. There must be no excuses. I hope I will be ready to rumble in September."
Thobela turns 46 on September 24.
"This is the year of senior citizens in boxing," he said, referring to recent victories by ring legends Bernard Hopkins and Francois Botha.
Hopkins, 46, beat 28-year-old Jean Pascal for the WBC and IBO light heavyweight titles on May 21 while 42-year-old Botha stopped Flo Simba, 21, in the sixth round on June 4.
"Hopkins and Botha taught Jean and Flo boxing lessons and that is exactly what I will do to Dlomo," vowed Thobela.
He almost came into blows with Dlomo at KwaMashu Indoor Centre in Durban on Thursday. They were guests of honour of boxing promoter Thulani Magudulela who was presented a tournament there.
Dlomo, 32, who is known as "Angisabilutho" (I fear nothing), did not take kindly to the fact that Thobela was given preference over him to address the fans.
While Thobela was talking, Dlomo snatched the microphone from him and said angrily: "Yimina obusayo lapha - I'm the ruler here and if you doubt it, let's get going now."
Police officers stepped in to prevent a bare-knuckle brawl.
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