Like blood circulating in the veins, producing world champions runs in experienced Johannesburg-based boxing trainer Manny Fernandes’ blood.
Fernandes is still basking in the glory of having produced yet another world champion after he led Siyakholwa Kuse to victory in a World Boxing Council (WBC) minimumweight title contest Melvin Jerusalem from the Philippines at the Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, on Saturday evening.
“Look, that was a brilliant performance from Siya Kuse. It was a great performance worth winning a world title. We are going to do something for Siya this week,” Fernandes remarked.
Previously, Fernandes manned the corners of Isaac Hlatshwayo, Takalani Ndlovu, Malcolm Klassen, Kaizer Mabuza and Ricardo Malajika who are former world champions. Even now, Fernandes is busy honing Malajika’s boxing skills as he’s preparing to meet Yahir Alan Frank Verdugo from Mexico in a WBC elimination bout in July.
“Isaac Hlatshwayo won the IBF and IBO titles under my guidance. Malcolm Klassen also won the IBF world title trained by me. Oscar Chauke won the WBF world title, Kaizer Mabuza won the IBO world title, Takalani Ndlovu won the IBF world title and Ricardo Malajika won the IBO flyweight world title under me,” Fernandes said. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
