Boxing trainer Mthobisi Buthelezi is ecstatic after he led his boxer Sabelo Ndwandwe to victory over Lindokuhle Khuzwayo at the Galleria Events Venue, Sandton, in Johannesburg on Saturday evening.
Ndwandwe captured the International Boxing Organisation (IBO) All Africa featherweight title via a split decision. Judges Pumeza Zinakile (96-94) and Sylvia Mokaila (97-93) had Ndwandwe winning while Simon Mokadi (96-94) gave the fight to KwaDukuza-born Khuzwayo.
“Obviously, we are very happy that things turned the way we expected them to be. We are not surprised that we beat Lindo. We sacrificed a lot while preparing for this fight. Sabelo spent six hours a day preparing for the fight,” Buthelezi revealed.
“Lindo was tough, but we knew that we were going to beat him when we took the fight. This fight was a great opportunity that we couldn’t miss.”
Buthelezi added: “We don’t rush Sabelo, we always refuse to take fights at short notice. We are not desperate. We don’t think with our stomachs. We try to protect our boxer.”
After defeating Khuzwayo, Ndwandwe from Melmoth in KwaZulu-Natal improved his professional record to five wins with one knockout. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
