Andile Mshumpela of Mshu One Boxing Management has vehemently denied poaching female boxer Anesipho Qheya from his namesake Andile James.
Mshumpela spoke out after a war of words broke out over who should advance the interests of Qheya, who has been inactive since she turned professional in 2019.
The war of words started after Qheya decided to join Mshumpela’s management company in an effort to make sure that she finally makes her professional debut.
“I met her through one of my boxers, who told me that she’s talented, but was unfortunately not training anywhere. She then showed an interest in joining my company and I had no problem with that,” Mshumpela said.
“We signed a contract in the presence of Boxing South Africa (BSA) provincial manager Phakamile Jacobs last week. Now James, who was her manager, has accused me of poaching her. That’s not true. I never poached her. I’m helping her to get a fight because she’s yet to make her professional debut despite turning professional four years ago. A boxer is within his of her right to leave any manager who is failing him or her.”
Qheya said: “I approached Mr Mshumpela with a view of joining his gym because I had been inactive for four years. I then asked Mr Mshumpela to become my manager and he agreed. I chose to join Mshumpela’s gym he 4 because he has no beef with my former manager.”
Ink Sport contacted James for comment and he said: “Respectfully, I wouldn’t like to comment on this.”
