GODFREY "The Punisher" Nzimande has left long-time trainer and manager Nick Durandt.

The boxer from Phalaborwa in Limpopo, who holds the SA junior lightweight title, said a lack of fights forced him out of Durandt's establishment where he has been since 2008.

Nzimande notified Durandt about his move via SMS early this month.

"I chose to SMS him because Durandt was on holiday in Thailand," he said yesterday. "I explained that my real reason for leaving was lack of fights. I never fought last year. I felt he had not done what he should have done as my manager. I wrote to Boxing SA about my move. I don't have any binding contract with Nick, who I still respect as a manager."

Durandt told Sowetan: "I understand where he is coming from. He is not that young anymore and he's got kids to look after. If he gets a fight elsewhere, good luck to him. I tried various promoters to get him a defence against Jasper Seroka but no promoter was interested in that fight.

"Nzimande and Seroka are not contracted to any promoter and that could be a contributing factor for their fight not happening. I also don't have a contract with Godfrey. I wish him good luck ... I mean it from the bottom of my heart. He is a good guy."

Nzimande added: "I was surprised that Nick never responded or even called me. The impression I got was that I am just another boxer to him. If I was a trainer and one of my champions had done what I did, I would have called that boxer to discuss the way forward. But obviously if you don't value that boxer, you won't do or say anything."

Nzimande's last fight was on November 26 2011 when he lost to Dejan Zlaticanin for the WBC International lightweight title in Montenegro.