Trainer Thembani ‘Best’ Gopheni has apologised to Boxing South Africa (BSA) after he took his boxer Lusizo Manzana to fight in Tanzania without being cleared by the regulator in December last year.
Manzana from Mthatha in the Eastern Cape lost to Ibrahim Mafia whose real name is Ibrahim Mustafa Kodema at the Super Dome Arena in Dar-Es-Salaam. And because he took Manzana, who is rated number three in South Africa, to Tanzania without a BSA clearance, Gopheni was given three months suspension.
“This serves to unconditionally apologise to Boxing South Africa and all stakeholders for my non-compliance with the requirements of the Boxing Act and regulations,” Gopheni said in a letter to BSA chief executive officer Tsholofelo Lejaka.
“On the 26th of December 2024 Lusizo Manzana fought in Tanzania without approval from Boxing South Africa. Boxing South Africa started a disciplinary process against me and I was given an opportunity to respond, which led to my three months suspension. I was then asked to make an public apology.
“I, therefore, take full responsibility for my actions and promise to fully abide by the rules and regulations going forward. I fully accept the ruling and decision taken by Boxing South Africa against me.”
Gopheni, who trains boxers in Mdantsane, is the father of two-time International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior-flyweight champion Sivenathi ‘Special One’ Nontshinga.
