Mike Dube has made a bold statement saying that KwaZulu-Natal, where he serves as Boxing South Africa (BSA) provincial manager, has better boxers compared to the Eastern Cape, the province of his birth.
Making a remark, Kariega-born Dube said recent results between KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape boxers support his statement.
He added that former South African heavyweight champion Keaton Gomes is a typical example showing that KwaZulu-Natal has better boxers in that division. Currently, Gomes is in the quarter-finals of the WBC Grand Prix having done very well, stopping his opponents in the tournament’s last three rounds.
“At heavyweight we have Keaton Gomes and the Eastern Cape has none. We also have Thabiso Mchunu at cruiserweight and there’s no one from the Eastern Cape,” Dube remarked.
“Both provinces have no one in the light-heavyweight division whereas the super-middleweight title is gonna come to KwaZulu-Natal as Snamiso Ntuli is the number one contender and has submitted a challenge. Unfortunately for the Eastern Cape, Asemahle Wellem was stripped of the title. ”
Dube added: “The middleweight title is here in KwaZulu-Natal with Phikelelani Khumalo being the champion and no boxer from the Eastern Cape is rated in that division.
“Sadly, none of the two provinces has rated boxers in the junior-middleweight division.”
Even though the SA welterweight title is still vacant, Dube has Mthatha boxer Phaphama Rhonorhono in high regard. Rhonorhono is due to fight for the vacant title against Wassim Chellan from Cape Town.
“The Eastern Cape has Rhonorhono in the welterweight division and we had Bilal Johnson. He took a chance and failed against S’phiwe Mbhele this past weekend,” Dube said.
“If you go to the junior-welterweight division, Ntethelelo Nkosi is way ahead compared to the likes of Aphiwe Boyiya. None of the boxers, who are rated in the junior-welterweight division can stand in front of Nkosi. He would blow away all of them.”
Speaking about the lightweight division, Dube said: “Khaya Busakwe, who is the South African champion is from Gauteng. I think our lightweight boxers are better than those from the Eastern Cape. I don’t think there’s an Eastern Cape lightweight boxer who can stand in front of Sandile Dumisa.”
On the junior-lightweight division, Dube said: “Our boxer Khanyisani Mbokazi fell short against Asanda Gingqi, who is a better boxer than him.
“Coming to the featherweight division, I don’t see anyone who can beat Lindelani Sibisi. Even Bongani Fule would be slaughtered by Lindelani. Besides Fule, the Eastern Cape has no one in that division. People must look at how Lindelani destroyed Zolisa Batyi in East London. He made him look like a rank amateur.
“Siyabulela Hem is the SA junior-featherweight champion even though it’s a close call in the division between KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. Mxolisi Zuma got a huge awakening at international level when he lost in Namibia. Currently, there are five KwaZulu-Natal boxers rated in the division compared to the two from the Eastern Cape.”
Dube, former boxing promoter, admitted that SA bantamweight champion Landile Ngxeke has no competition in the division and is world class.
“In the bantamweight division, Ngxeke is head and shoulders above everyone there. I think Tiisetso Matikinca is on his heels. The bantamweight is an Eastern Cape division,” he said.
Talking about the junior-bantamweight division, Dube remarked: “This is where we will see who’s the best. Ntethelelo Magcaba is number one and Moyisi Booi is behind him. We also have Nkosinathi Sibiya, who beat Gcina Makhoba last weekend. The Eastern Cape’s Enathi Stelle would never beat these guys.
“We cannot talk about Phumelela Cafu because he’s not in their league. He’s way ahead of them. Maybe the Eastern Cape must bring back Lwando Mgabi from Cape Town.
“Nkosingiphile Sibisi rules the flyweight division. The Eastern Cape sent Theo Nxayiphi and he failed against Nkosingiphile.
“Both the junior-flyweight and mini-flyweight divisions belong to the Eastern Cape. Siseko Teyisi looks good all the time when he’s fighting. And Thinumzi Gqola is a good boxer.” – Monwabisi Jimlongo
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