TRAINER Themba Zulu has given his charge, Luyanda Jako, an ultimatum: sink or swim.
Jako will seek to redeem himself at the expense of Grant Fourie at the Golden Gloves' box-and-dine tournament at Emperors Palace on April 23.
Jako is asthmatic and struggles to hold his mouth guard because of his breathing problem. That has made life very difficult for him as a fighter.
His condition got worse when he challenged Mzolisi Yoyo for both the SA and World Boxing Federation Inter-Continental junior lightweight belts in East London last year.
Jako retired on his stool before the third round.
"He complained of chest pains," said Zulu yesterday. "The upcoming six-rounder against Fourie will give us direction regarding Luyanda's future as a boxer.
"It is do or die really. It is the final test."
Added Zulu: "If he loses on points against Fourie, I will still give him another chance but if he gets stopped, then it is over.
"Fourie is no great shakes. In fact, Luyanda is a better boxer than him.
"I remember at one stage we wanted to fight him when Grant was still campaigning in the lightweight division, his management avoided us. By rights Luyanda should win this fight but let us wait and see."
Jako has nine wins and four stoppages.
Boxing SA's acting chief executive Loyiso Mtya said: "We can agree with Zulu. But we recognise that Luyanda is a talented boxer. It is just unfortunate that he does not deliver what he could if he was in top condition. He does not take punishment, though. He is asthmatic, yes, but is still allowed to box because his condition is not that bad. But we are watching him."
Meanwhile, Dowayne Combrink, the 20-year-old Gauteng middleweight champion, takes a big step in his career when he challenges for the vacant All Africa title.
He will face hard-hitting Vhonani Netshidamboni who kissed the canvas in the second round when he last fought, against reigning national light heavyweight champion Johnny Muller on November 26 last year.
Combrink, trained by Harold Volbrecht, ended the illustrious career of Simon Mokoena last month with a devastating knockout in round two.
Fourie a final test for Jako
TRAINER Themba Zulu has given his charge, Luyanda Jako, an ultimatum: sink or swim.
Jako will seek to redeem himself at the expense of Grant Fourie at the Golden Gloves' box-and-dine tournament at Emperors Palace on April 23.
Jako is asthmatic and struggles to hold his mouth guard because of his breathing problem. That has made life very difficult for him as a fighter.
His condition got worse when he challenged Mzolisi Yoyo for both the SA and World Boxing Federation Inter-Continental junior lightweight belts in East London last year.
Jako retired on his stool before the third round.
"He complained of chest pains," said Zulu yesterday. "The upcoming six-rounder against Fourie will give us direction regarding Luyanda's future as a boxer.
"It is do or die really. It is the final test."
Added Zulu: "If he loses on points against Fourie, I will still give him another chance but if he gets stopped, then it is over.
"Fourie is no great shakes. In fact, Luyanda is a better boxer than him.
"I remember at one stage we wanted to fight him when Grant was still campaigning in the lightweight division, his management avoided us. By rights Luyanda should win this fight but let us wait and see."
Jako has nine wins and four stoppages.
Boxing SA's acting chief executive Loyiso Mtya said: "We can agree with Zulu. But we recognise that Luyanda is a talented boxer. It is just unfortunate that he does not deliver what he could if he was in top condition. He does not take punishment, though. He is asthmatic, yes, but is still allowed to box because his condition is not that bad. But we are watching him."
Meanwhile, Dowayne Combrink, the 20-year-old Gauteng middleweight champion, takes a big step in his career when he challenges for the vacant All Africa title.
He will face hard-hitting Vhonani Netshidamboni who kissed the canvas in the second round when he last fought, against reigning national light heavyweight champion Johnny Muller on November 26 last year.
Combrink, trained by Harold Volbrecht, ended the illustrious career of Simon Mokoena last month with a devastating knockout in round two.
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