By Monwabisi Jimlongo
Fight-starved International Boxing Organisation (IBO) junior-bantamweight champion Gideon ‘Hardcore’ Buthelezi’s fistic career has stalled.
It’s a real struggle for one of South Africa’s most talented boxers, who hasn’t fought since he defeated Mexican boxer Adrian Jimenez in East London 18 months ago. And things might get worse for Buthelezi as he neither has a promoter nor a trainer.
“It’s been a long time since I last fought and this is a difficult time for me as everything has come to a standstill. This is a very stressful situation,” Buthelezi said.
“Xaba was my promoter and I have no promoter now. It’s quiet even this side and no one has approached me offering a fight.
“I keep myself fit by training on my own at the local gym because I don’t have a trainer. Bro Welcome (Ncita) trained me when I was preparing for a fight, which was postponed in December last year.”
Buthelezi, who has made five defences of his belt, fears that the IBO might strip him if things continue like this. The Boipatong-based Buthelezi’s last fight was on 26 July 2019.
“The thought of being stripped worries me,” Buthelezi, who will turn 35 on 16 July, said.
