By Monwabisi Jimlongo
Thembani Gopheni is playing it safe in his son Sivenathi ‘Special One’ Nontshinga’s preparations for a title fight against world champion Felix Alvarado from Nicaragua in Texas, United States, on Saturday, 18 December (Sunday, 19 December, South African time).
In the aftermath of Azinga ‘Golden Boy’ Fuzile’s world title loss to Kenichi Ogawa from Japan on the weekend, Gopheni has learnt a lesson that working together for the benefit of the boxer is the way to go in the fistic sport.
Fuzile left South Africa for the US with only his trainer Mzamo ‘Chief’ Njekanye. Jorge Capetillo, a cutman from Mexico, and Sean Gibbons, the president of Manny Pacquiao Promotions, were then roped in to assist Njekanye.
Now Gopheni has sought assistance from a number of boxing personalities like two-time world champion Zolani ‘Last Born’ Tete, Andile Mofu, Andile Sidinile, Mlandeli Tengimfene and Makazole Tete just to mention a few.
”We are not taking things lightly in our preparations for this fight. We have solicited assistance from a number of people to help us with our preparations,” Gopheni said.
The East London boxing trainer has also not ruled out the possibility of asking for a few pointers from Rumble Africa Promotions (RAP) international adviser Colin ‘Nomakanjani’ Nathan.
Cape Town-born Nathan, who is the chief trainer at Hot Box Gym in Johannesburg, has won numerous world titles with his boxers.
“I think Colin is coming to the Rumble Africa Promotions tournament this weekend. I’m going to sit down with him and see how things could be done. This is a big responsibility and I cannot do it alone,” Gopheni said.
The unbeaten Nontshinga earned the right to challenge Alvarado after he outpointed Filipino boxer Christian ‘The Bomb’ Araneta at the Boardwalk Casino and Hotel in Gqeberha in April.
