WHEN one door closes, another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the ones that open for us. That is how Dingaan "Rose of Soweto" Thobela zooms into the future of South African boxing.

He says the continuing criticism that South African boxing is dead and buried ever since the likes of Brian Mitchell, Welcome Ncita and Vuyani Bungu hung up their gloves was proven wrong by the retirement last weekend of Cassius Baloyi.

"They came out with guns blazing as if Cassius was a youngster," said Thobela.

Baloyi, 37, the only local boxer to win six world titles in three weight divisions, retired last week after he was defeated by Malcolm Klassen at Nasrec Arena, ending his illustrious career of 18 years.

"There is great talent coming from Tsiko Mulovhedzi, who performed splendidly in the defence of his welterweight title before Baloyi's defeat," noted Thobela. "When will the exciting talent of Thomas Oosthuizen, Thabiso Mchunu and Sydney Maluleka be recognised?"

Oosthuizen, 24, holds the IBO super middleweight title and is undefeated after 21 fights. Mchunu, 23, is the WBA Pan African cruiserweight champion. Maluleka, 25, and Mulovhedzi, 26, hold featherweight and welterweight titles.

"Oosthuizen's promoter Rodney Berman is doing a great job in marketing him abroad. I'm hopeful that other promoters will do the same with Mchunu, Maluleka and Mulovhedzi in order for their talents to flourish," he said.

Thobela was not impressed by Mchunu until he stopped Flo Simba twice in their fights.

"Maluleka caught my attention at Orient Theatre last month when he won the national title from Sabelo Jubatha. The boy has the heart of a lion to beat the champion in his backyard."

Thobela said he watched in disbelief when Mulovhedzi stopped Kyle Smith in five rounds last weekend.

"The same armchair critics have not said a word about the huge talent of our only world champion, IBF flyweight champ Moruti Mthalane, who has defended four times. Clearly they are waiting for him to lose before they can say, 'man, we (SA) had a great champ in Mthalane who fought anybody anywhere'.

"They started saying negative things after Jeffrey Mathebula and Nkosinathi Joyi lost their IBF junior featherweight and mini flyweight titles.

"They failed to give credit to Takalani Ndlovu when he won the IBF title from Steve Molitor. People blatantly refuse to heed the old saying that when one door closes, the other one opens up. The future of South African boxing is bright - period!" said Thobela in his parting shot.