Bongani Magasela

Bongani Magasela

It is rare that a boxing trainer will take defeat in his stride.

Many times their egos get in the way of accepting that their fighters were beaten fairly.

Gauteng trainer Benny Pailman set a precedence yesterday by giving credit to Eastern Cape fighter Sizwe Sinyabi for a "deserved" win over his charge Charriet Mukondeleli last weekend.

Sinyabi, who fought in front of home fans at the Orient Theatre in East London on Sunday afternoon, defeated Mukondeleli over eight rounds.

"It was a fair loss," said Pailman. "Sinyabi's work rate was high as he pushed for a knockout in the early rounds. That is when he collected points because the complexion of the fight changed from the fourth round. I think from thereon rounds were pretty even."

Pailman, who hones Mukondeleli's skills with Peter Faver and Cliff Martins at their Westside Boxing Academy in Westbury, believes that Mukondeleli, from Louis Trichardt in Limpopo, will bounce back.

"I know his second spot in the ratings is gone but we will work our way up." he said

Sinyabi, who is one of Nick Durandt's fighters in the Eastern Cape who is trained by Mhikiza Myekeni and Khulile Makeba, qualifies to challenge Mfundo Gwayaba for the South African flyweight title.