JEFFREY ''The Mongoose" Mathebula has done what many former and current boxing greats have failed to do, manage his own boxing affairs.
Many fighters have had their trainers doubling up as their managers but this arrangement is not compelled by regulations.
Some trainers convinced their boxers to accept it simply because they were in good standing with certain boxing promoters and had the backing of the corporate world.
It was really about making boxers believe that only managers could get them fights and sponsorship deals.
While the arrangement worked wonders for some boxers, it was a total disaster to many who later accused their managers of swindling them out of thousands of rands.
Mathebula has now decided to do things for himself after the former IBF junior-featherweight champion cut ties with trainer Nick Durandt, who managed his career and honed his skills, after seven years together.
''I left Nick simply because I wanted to take charge of my own affairs," said the former 2000 Sydney Olympian.
''I fully understand the stresses and frustrations that come with the task of being a boxing manager but so be it."
Mathebula took this big decision ahead of a massive undertaking - he will challenge IBF junior-featherweight champion Kiko Martinez in Spain on December 21. He said former SA champions Innocent Mthalane and Phumzile Mathyila were assisting him as trainers at the Urban Warriors boxing gym of Lesley Flavell in Sandton.
He had also successfully negotiated his purse money with long-time promoter Branco Milenkovic for the Martinez fight.
Mathebula said Milenkovic and Flavell would serve as his advisers.
''I have been a professional boxer since 2001 with 33 fights but it is only now that I will fight for the purse money that I negotiated myself. I cannot divulge the figures but it is a very good purse," he said.
Mathebula follows in the footsteps of former multiple world champion Takalani ''The Panther" Ndlovu, who also manages his own affairs.
''I will always assist Jeffrey where I can and also give advice where he needs it," said Milenkovic.
Mathebula takes charge
JEFFREY ''The Mongoose" Mathebula has done what many former and current boxing greats have failed to do, manage his own boxing affairs.
Many fighters have had their trainers doubling up as their managers but this arrangement is not compelled by regulations.
Some trainers convinced their boxers to accept it simply because they were in good standing with certain boxing promoters and had the backing of the corporate world.
It was really about making boxers believe that only managers could get them fights and sponsorship deals.
While the arrangement worked wonders for some boxers, it was a total disaster to many who later accused their managers of swindling them out of thousands of rands.
Mathebula has now decided to do things for himself after the former IBF junior-featherweight champion cut ties with trainer Nick Durandt, who managed his career and honed his skills, after seven years together.
''I left Nick simply because I wanted to take charge of my own affairs," said the former 2000 Sydney Olympian.
''I fully understand the stresses and frustrations that come with the task of being a boxing manager but so be it."
Mathebula took this big decision ahead of a massive undertaking - he will challenge IBF junior-featherweight champion Kiko Martinez in Spain on December 21. He said former SA champions Innocent Mthalane and Phumzile Mathyila were assisting him as trainers at the Urban Warriors boxing gym of Lesley Flavell in Sandton.
He had also successfully negotiated his purse money with long-time promoter Branco Milenkovic for the Martinez fight.
Mathebula said Milenkovic and Flavell would serve as his advisers.
''I have been a professional boxer since 2001 with 33 fights but it is only now that I will fight for the purse money that I negotiated myself. I cannot divulge the figures but it is a very good purse," he said.
Mathebula follows in the footsteps of former multiple world champion Takalani ''The Panther" Ndlovu, who also manages his own affairs.
''I will always assist Jeffrey where I can and also give advice where he needs it," said Milenkovic.
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