Bongani Magasela
Bongani Magasela
Top boxing mentors Nick Durandt and Zola Koti dismissed the opinion that their cordial friendship could be strained by the outcome of a fight that pits their charges against each other tomorrow night.
Durandt's fighter, Jonas Kgasago, will defend the South African mini flyweight diadem against Koti's charge, Mzukisi Myeki. It will be staged by promoter Branco Milenkovic of Branco Sports Productions at the Carousel Casino in Hammanskraal.
"We are not the type of friends that will call each other on a day-to-day basis and boxing is business for both of us," said Durandt.
"We will remain friends despite the fact that my boy will defeat his. We are still going to be involved in a bigger fight when his boxer, Mzonke Fana, defends the IBF junior lightweight title against Cassius Baloyi."
Durandt was in Fana's corner when he dethroned Malcolm Klassen in April. As if that was not enough, Durandt worked Fana's corner again last month when Fana stopped Javier Alvarez in nine rounds.
Durandt and Koti started working together two years ago when Fana tried unsuccessfully to end the reign of Marco Barrera as the WBC king in April 2005.
Durandt does not know Myeki except that this Eastern Cape- born fighter, who is based in Western Cape, is ranked fifth. But he said if Myeki is to be judged by his uninspiring fight record of six wins, two losses and three draws then there is no reason for sleepless nights.
Mentors hog the spotlight
Bongani Magasela
Bongani Magasela
Top boxing mentors Nick Durandt and Zola Koti dismissed the opinion that their cordial friendship could be strained by the outcome of a fight that pits their charges against each other tomorrow night.
Durandt's fighter, Jonas Kgasago, will defend the South African mini flyweight diadem against Koti's charge, Mzukisi Myeki. It will be staged by promoter Branco Milenkovic of Branco Sports Productions at the Carousel Casino in Hammanskraal.
"We are not the type of friends that will call each other on a day-to-day basis and boxing is business for both of us," said Durandt.
"We will remain friends despite the fact that my boy will defeat his. We are still going to be involved in a bigger fight when his boxer, Mzonke Fana, defends the IBF junior lightweight title against Cassius Baloyi."
Durandt was in Fana's corner when he dethroned Malcolm Klassen in April. As if that was not enough, Durandt worked Fana's corner again last month when Fana stopped Javier Alvarez in nine rounds.
Durandt and Koti started working together two years ago when Fana tried unsuccessfully to end the reign of Marco Barrera as the WBC king in April 2005.
Durandt does not know Myeki except that this Eastern Cape- born fighter, who is based in Western Cape, is ranked fifth. But he said if Myeki is to be judged by his uninspiring fight record of six wins, two losses and three draws then there is no reason for sleepless nights.