Things looking up for forgotten champion Nkululeko 'Bull Dog' Mhlongo
Under-appreciated yet talented reigning South African junior middleweight boxing champion Nkululeko "Bull Dog" Mhlongo sees light at the end of the tunnel in his career since teaming up with Free State boxing promoter Lebo Mahoko.
Mhlongo's career has been stagnating because he did not have a trainer dedicated to him. He won the national title way back in 2011.
He was regarded as a sacrificial lamb when he took on Page Tshesane in Witbank but the unexpected happened as Mhlongo stopped the local boxer within the distance.
By now Mhlongo should have either registered his five defences, to claim ownership of the BSA championship belt or lost it. His first defence was in 2013 and the fourth was in February last year.
That fight against France Ramabolu was staged by Tshele Kometsi of TK Boxing Promotion in Kimberley, and it was after that 10th round stoppage that Mhlongo teamed up with Bloemfontein-based Mahoko of Dream Team.
"This is the best decision I have made in my life as a boxer," said the soft spoken champion from Eshowe in KwaZulu-Natal. The Free State-based champion is trained in Soweto by former multiple world boxing champion Lehlohonolo "Hands of Stone" Ledwaba.
Mahoko marked five years in the fistic sport with Boxing SA's 2016 most improved promoter of the year award in January.
For the first timer in a career spanning 10 years, the 34-year-old Mhlongo has already fought three times. Mahoko has even taken him to Germany where Mhlongo suffered a dubious points loss.
"Baba Lebo said if I have to lose my title, it must be inside the ring and here I am preparing to defend on September 9," said Mhlongo, who will make his mandatory defence against Brandon Thysse - the No 1 contender - in a Golden Gloves tournament at Emperors Palace.
Mahoko fought tooth and nail when BSA threatened to relieve him of his title due to lack of action. Victory against Thysse - a nine fight novice - will see Mhlongo claim outright ownership of the belt.
Mhlongo is known for fighting with one hand and hiding his right behind his back, but only once he has established a clear points lead, said: "I graduated long time from teaching to being a lecturer. I am going for a knockout so that I am available to feature in Mahoko's tournament during the Macufe celebrations in October."