By Monwabisi Jimlongo
Xaba Boxing Academy boss Linda Saliwa has dismissed claims that he attempted to poach rising star Lwando Mgabi away from his trainers Andile Madubedube, Welsh Macibela and Siyabonga Mafika to join Xaba Boxing Club in East London.
This was after Mgabi revealed that Saliwa approached and asked him to ditch his trainers and join his camp with a promise to fight for the South African junior-bantamweight title currently held by Landile Ngxeke.
“Lwando is mistaken. He’s with Rumble Africa Promotions. And I have a very good relationship with Rumble Africa CEO Nomfesane Nyatela,” Saliwa said when contacted for comment.
The unbeaten Mgabi, who has four wins with two knockouts, said: “He called asking me to join his promotions. He promised me that I was going to fight for the SA junior-bantamweight title as Ngxeke is going to vacate it. He also promised to give me five fights a year. I refused to do so and I told him that I’m still happy at Rumble Africa Promotions.”
The 22-year-old Mgabi, who is originally from Duncan Village in East London, is now based in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. Mgabi is the reigning Western Cape junior-bantamweight champion, a title he won when he stopped Nwabisile Cholani in the first round in April this year.
