Like an eagle swooping on its prey, East London boxing trainer Lonwabo ‘Lonki’ Witbooi continues to swoop on boxers as he has taken Duncan Village boxer Athenkosi Thongwana away from his trainer Thembani ‘Best’ Gopheni.
The news of Thongwana’s departure from Gopheni has been kept under wraps as Witbooi continues to grow his Lukhanyo Boxing Club stable. Initially, Thongwana was believed to be joining Khangelani Jack in Benoni, but opted to join Witbooi.
“We have been working together for three weeks now. He is still going to campaign in the junior-flyweight division,” Witbooi confirmed on Tuesday.
Thongwana lost his last two fights to current South African junior-flyweight champion Mpumelelo Tshabalala in March and Abongile Jacobs in December. Thongwana was rated fourth in the December ratings.
Just a week ago, SA female junior-lightweight champion and former world title contender Nozipho Bell from Walmer in Gqeberha agreed to join Witbooi’s gym. Already, Bell has a date with Bukiwe Nonina in an SA title defence in April.
Meanwhile, Lukhanyo Boxing Club is also the home of reigning SA female bantamweight champion Sharadene Fortuin, who is originally from Seymour in the Raymond Mhlaba Municipality.
