Bongani Magasela
Bongani Magasela
Boxing SA said it shared the pain of former fighters who had hit on hard times.
"They must know that they are not alone. We are all in this together," said chairman Peter Ngatane yesterday, reacting to the recent end of the illustrious career of Simon "Cheetah" Ramoni.
The 34-year-old from Toekomsrus, a married father of three, had been a paid fighter since 1993. He faces a bleak future after doctor Peter Chadderton advised him to hang up his gloves two weeks ago.
Boxing SA had instructed Ramoni to go for a brain scan before taking on Zolani Tete. On Chadderton's advice that fight was cancelled.
Ramoni, who has lost balance, the ability to avoid punches and eyesight, still believes he has what it takes.
"I'm begging Boxing SA for one chance to prove myself," he said.
But Ngatane would not hear any of that.
"He has nothing to prove. Ramoni, like other former fighters, need to be helped - period.
"It is our duty as the boxing family to put our minds together. Surely we will come up with plans to help them, be it bringing them back into the system as trainers of something. I will pursue it," he said.
This could help prevent a repetition of what happened to old time greats such as Aladin Stevens, Simon "Tsipa" Skhosana and Peter "Terror" Mathebula.
These men wowed fight fans with their great boxing skills before they left the sport that gave them identity, fulfilment, joy and fame. Sadly they all had no money, so they hit the bottle.
Stevens was the lightweight champion while Mathebula was the national flyweight and bantamweight champion as well as the WBA flyweight belt holder.
Skhosana ruled the bantamweight division locally but failed twice to win the WBA and WBO belts.
'don't throw in the towel'
Bongani Magasela
Bongani Magasela
Boxing SA said it shared the pain of former fighters who had hit on hard times.
"They must know that they are not alone. We are all in this together," said chairman Peter Ngatane yesterday, reacting to the recent end of the illustrious career of Simon "Cheetah" Ramoni.
The 34-year-old from Toekomsrus, a married father of three, had been a paid fighter since 1993. He faces a bleak future after doctor Peter Chadderton advised him to hang up his gloves two weeks ago.
Boxing SA had instructed Ramoni to go for a brain scan before taking on Zolani Tete. On Chadderton's advice that fight was cancelled.
Ramoni, who has lost balance, the ability to avoid punches and eyesight, still believes he has what it takes.
"I'm begging Boxing SA for one chance to prove myself," he said.
But Ngatane would not hear any of that.
"He has nothing to prove. Ramoni, like other former fighters, need to be helped - period.
"It is our duty as the boxing family to put our minds together. Surely we will come up with plans to help them, be it bringing them back into the system as trainers of something. I will pursue it," he said.
This could help prevent a repetition of what happened to old time greats such as Aladin Stevens, Simon "Tsipa" Skhosana and Peter "Terror" Mathebula.
These men wowed fight fans with their great boxing skills before they left the sport that gave them identity, fulfilment, joy and fame. Sadly they all had no money, so they hit the bottle.
Stevens was the lightweight champion while Mathebula was the national flyweight and bantamweight champion as well as the WBA flyweight belt holder.
Skhosana ruled the bantamweight division locally but failed twice to win the WBA and WBO belts.
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