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Fuzile temporarily hangs up his gloves for matric textbooks

Picture credit: Nick Lourens
Picture credit: Nick Lourens

Azinga "Golden Boy" Fuzile has switched back and is focusing on his studies.

This comes just when the boxing fraternity was trying to come to terms with the manner in which Fuzile easily flummoxed battle-scared veteran Tshifhiwa "Atomic Spider" Munyai in three rounds at Emperors Palace, Ekurhuleni, last weekend.

With nine victories under his belt, the 21-year-old matric student flew back to his hometown, Duncan Village in East London, last Sunday to prepare for his final exams.

In fact, Fuzile wrote his first English paper on Wednesday at the local Kusile Comprehensive High School.

The current SA, WBC Youth and IBF Continental featherweight undefeated champion, booked a place in the final of Golden Gloves Super Four taking place at Emperors Palace in March next year.

He will oppose Lerato "Lights Out" Dlamini, who eliminated veteran Simpiwe "V12" Vetyeka.

Fuzile said juggling his school work and gym is not a problem at all. "I go to school and come back home after 2pm and then prepare to go to the gym."

He said his schoolmates still treat him the same way as before he won his three titles.

"I am still the same person. My achievements in boxing remain in boxing and at school I am a student. But everyone is happy with my achievements."

He wrote his second paper - maths - on Friday.

Fuzile said he does not have a girlfriend. "I do not want anything that will affect my studies and boxing. The time for a good life will come, for now my focus is to do well in both my studies and in the boxing ring."

His trainer Mzamo Njekanye shared his charge's sentiments regarding school work and boxing. "We start training at 5pm. He has more than enough time for his school work. Even when we were preparing for the first leg of the Featherweight Super Four last week, nothing disturbed his studies. He does not have friends outside the gym.

"The boy is full of respect, even for his parents. He is shy and not a big talker, actually we are neighbours. I thought Munyai will give us a tough fight based on what he said on TV and during the pre-fight medical. He was the worst-ever opponent we have met. Boxers like Mabhuti Sinyabi, Sydney Maluleke and Rofhiwa Maemu, who he fought, were far better opponents than him."