Damian Durandt, the son of the late accomplished and flamboyant trainer, Nick "Mthakathi" Durandt, is steadily living up to the promise he made to continue producing champions - just like his father.
Durandt produced 30 world champions, 27 international and 95 SA title holders. He was assisted by Kenny Mabunda before getting Damian, then 14 years old, to be registered as a seconder.
Damian, now 26, took over the reins in May 2017 and it took him 10 months to produce champions. Jackson "M3" Chauke and Emmany "The General" Kalombo who won WBF international flyweight and junior middleweight titles respectively, in one night at the Edenvale Community Centre.
In August, Durandt helped Athenkosi Dumezweni to win the SA junior bantamweight belt. To show that these victories were not a fluke, Durandt guided Ilunga "Junior" Makabu to victory for the WBC International cruiserweight title in September.
It was Durandt who also made sure that Dumezweni captured the IBO Continental belt in December. He did that in style, by knocking over Mexican Ulises Lara who had previously defeated Nhlanhla Ngamntwini for the WBA Intercontinental belt in July and outpointed Thembelani Nxoshe for the WBC Intercontinental belt in October. Both fights took place in East London.
"We are getting there slowly," said Durandt. "Boxing is a passion I shared with my father for many years since I was a young boy and it is something that I am prepared to do for many years to come."
Dumezweni will oppose Jonas "Zorro" Sulton from the Philippines for the WBC Silver junior bantamweight title on April 28 at East London's Orient Theatre where Xaba Promotions and Events of Ayanda Matiti will stage his first tournament this year.
Damian Durandt plotting for more titles
Damian Durandt, the son of the late accomplished and flamboyant trainer, Nick "Mthakathi" Durandt, is steadily living up to the promise he made to continue producing champions - just like his father.
Durandt produced 30 world champions, 27 international and 95 SA title holders. He was assisted by Kenny Mabunda before getting Damian, then 14 years old, to be registered as a seconder.
Damian, now 26, took over the reins in May 2017 and it took him 10 months to produce champions. Jackson "M3" Chauke and Emmany "The General" Kalombo who won WBF international flyweight and junior middleweight titles respectively, in one night at the Edenvale Community Centre.
In August, Durandt helped Athenkosi Dumezweni to win the SA junior bantamweight belt. To show that these victories were not a fluke, Durandt guided Ilunga "Junior" Makabu to victory for the WBC International cruiserweight title in September.
It was Durandt who also made sure that Dumezweni captured the IBO Continental belt in December. He did that in style, by knocking over Mexican Ulises Lara who had previously defeated Nhlanhla Ngamntwini for the WBA Intercontinental belt in July and outpointed Thembelani Nxoshe for the WBC Intercontinental belt in October. Both fights took place in East London.
"We are getting there slowly," said Durandt. "Boxing is a passion I shared with my father for many years since I was a young boy and it is something that I am prepared to do for many years to come."
Dumezweni will oppose Jonas "Zorro" Sulton from the Philippines for the WBC Silver junior bantamweight title on April 28 at East London's Orient Theatre where Xaba Promotions and Events of Ayanda Matiti will stage his first tournament this year.
The winner between Dumezweni and Sulton will get a top 5 in the WBC rankings.
Sulton knocked Makazole Tete out in two rounds for the IBF Intercontinental title in East London and went on to beat John Riel Casimero.
Sulton has 15 wins in 19 fights. Dumezweni has 11 wins, eight knockouts and two losses.
"Dumezweni has to avenge Makazole's loss," said Durandt. "This fight will put us in the top 10 in the world."
Dumezweni is currently rated No 30 in the world and 19 by the WBC while Sulton is rated No 15 by the WBC and 13 in the world.
"Dumezweni is a clever and sleek fighter who punches very hard. Obviously, being a southpaw makes it a lot more complicated for his opponents to deal with him," said Durandt in his parting shot.