By Monwabisi Jimlongo
Poaching boxers from rival camps has been part of South African boxing as fighters change stables at the drop of a hat, especially when they are promised heaven and earth.
More often than not, Johannesburg-based trainers have been accused of poaching boxers, especially those from East London in the Eastern Cape.
But South Africa’s youngest trainer Damien Durandt seems to be the odd one out as he says that he is not interested in poaching boxers as he has enough on his plate taking care of 15 pugilists.
‘‘I don’t poach any fighters. I never have, I never will, I don’t need to. Regarding other trainers poaching boxers I don’t know,’’ Damien, who is the son of the late boxing trainer Nick Durandt, said.
‘‘My understanding is that a lot of the fighters from the Eastern Cape move away from there to find better opportunities in Johannesburg. They want to make a living, especially when it comes to daily work. I have always seen that as one aspect, which contributes to fighters leaving the Eastern Cape.’’
Damien, who grew up in boxing, has revealed that he continues to receive calls from boxers, who want to join his stable, but he keeps turning them away.
‘‘A lot of fighters just see the success and they don’t understand what is in the background. A lot of them think life is great when you join a certain trainer, it doesn’t happen like that,’’ he said.
‘‘I get calls from fighters regularly. Last weekend I got calls from six boxers, who wanted to join my stable. At the moment I’m not taking any fighters. I think with the COVID-19 situation it’s difficult to give fighters an opportunity. I have my own fighters, who are not active because of COVID-19.’’
It’s been said a number of times that Damien is living under his late father’s shadow, but he refuses to accept that. Nick was South Africa’s best trainer by far producing more than 90 world and national
champions.
‘‘I’m not in his shadow. My father made a WBC champion in Sugar Boy Malinga and lost it in his first defence. I made Ilunga (Makabu) a WBC champion and we successfully defended it. I’m not in my father’s shadow. I said to everyone that my goal is not to create my own legacy. I’m continuing with my father’s legacy,’’ Damien said.
‘‘This has been a family business for many years. I have been in the corner of fighters since the age of 14. I was carrying boxing belts at the age of five. I have been exposed to boxing my whole life. I don’t think I was ever in my father’s shadow. I have produced 15 champions today. All my 15 champions I made them myself.’’
