Sunday will be the biggest day in the life of Charity Mukondeleli as a boxing trainer.
A former professional boxer from Limpopo, Mukondeleli has gradually become a force since turning the misfortunes of supposed journeyman Prince Dlomo around for the better.
Dlomo had lost 10 of his 24 fights before teaming up with Mukondeleli. The boxer sprung a surprise last year, dethroning talented SA junior welterweight champion Xolani Mcotheli and defending that title three times successfully.
Mukondeleli’s other charge – Thato “Captain Charisma” Bonokoane – will on Sunday undertake a mission to become a world champion when he opposes Diego Alberto Ruiz of Argentina for the WBF junior bantamweight title in J4Joy International Promoter’s tournament at Feather Market Theatre in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape.
“I have invested so much of my time in this fight and that includes going into camp with Thato in Midrand,” said Mukondeleli yesterday. “We would sometimes train at night because I wanted him to be 150% fit for the title fight.”
It was Mukondeleli who guided Bonokoane to victory for the WBF Intercontinental title last year. One of the defences he made ensured Bonokoane qualified to contest the actual WBF vacant belt.
Those fights were staged in Mpumalanga by that province's promoter Jacob Mnisi, whose company will be in charge of the WBF junior bantamweight fight on Sunday.
“I want my name to be counted as one of the trainers who produced a world champion. I also want Thato to rise with me,” said Mukondeleli. “I’ve got two good fights that will stay in my mind for ever – one when Prince beat Xolisani Ndongeni because people started recognising me as a trainer.
“My other one was when Thato beat Mfundisi Ngema for the WBF Intercontinental title in Maritzburg last year. Thato was not given a chance but he stopped Mfundisi in round seven.
“Our preparations have gone smooth, we are ready for Sunday. I’ve watched few of our opponent’s fights on YouTube, he’s a good boxer but Thato is two times better than him. If it goes 12 rounds we will win on points obviously but I don’t see it go that distance.”
Ruiz has 23 wins with 12 knockouts, five losses and a draw. Ruiz fought in June 18 and lost to Jack Bateson for the WBA Intercontinental title.
Mnisi’s maiden tourney in Gqeberha features an SA junior featherweight title fight between holder Matshidiso Mokebisi and Monalisa Takane as well as an Eastern Cape bantamweight title contest between Michael Daries and Siphenathi Nobandla.
Mukondeleli positive Thato will destroy Ruiz on Sunday
'I want to be counted as one of trainers who produced world champion'
Image: Christo Smith
Sunday will be the biggest day in the life of Charity Mukondeleli as a boxing trainer.
A former professional boxer from Limpopo, Mukondeleli has gradually become a force since turning the misfortunes of supposed journeyman Prince Dlomo around for the better.
Dlomo had lost 10 of his 24 fights before teaming up with Mukondeleli. The boxer sprung a surprise last year, dethroning talented SA junior welterweight champion Xolani Mcotheli and defending that title three times successfully.
Mukondeleli’s other charge – Thato “Captain Charisma” Bonokoane – will on Sunday undertake a mission to become a world champion when he opposes Diego Alberto Ruiz of Argentina for the WBF junior bantamweight title in J4Joy International Promoter’s tournament at Feather Market Theatre in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape.
“I have invested so much of my time in this fight and that includes going into camp with Thato in Midrand,” said Mukondeleli yesterday. “We would sometimes train at night because I wanted him to be 150% fit for the title fight.”
It was Mukondeleli who guided Bonokoane to victory for the WBF Intercontinental title last year. One of the defences he made ensured Bonokoane qualified to contest the actual WBF vacant belt.
Those fights were staged in Mpumalanga by that province's promoter Jacob Mnisi, whose company will be in charge of the WBF junior bantamweight fight on Sunday.
“I want my name to be counted as one of the trainers who produced a world champion. I also want Thato to rise with me,” said Mukondeleli. “I’ve got two good fights that will stay in my mind for ever – one when Prince beat Xolisani Ndongeni because people started recognising me as a trainer.
“My other one was when Thato beat Mfundisi Ngema for the WBF Intercontinental title in Maritzburg last year. Thato was not given a chance but he stopped Mfundisi in round seven.
“Our preparations have gone smooth, we are ready for Sunday. I’ve watched few of our opponent’s fights on YouTube, he’s a good boxer but Thato is two times better than him. If it goes 12 rounds we will win on points obviously but I don’t see it go that distance.”
Ruiz has 23 wins with 12 knockouts, five losses and a draw. Ruiz fought in June 18 and lost to Jack Bateson for the WBA Intercontinental title.
Mnisi’s maiden tourney in Gqeberha features an SA junior featherweight title fight between holder Matshidiso Mokebisi and Monalisa Takane as well as an Eastern Cape bantamweight title contest between Michael Daries and Siphenathi Nobandla.
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