Unbeaten prospect Sanele ‘V16’ Sogcwayi left his Mdantsane home on Wednesday morning and joined the Brian Mitchell Boxing Academy in Gauteng where he will be trained by veteran trainer Manny Fernandes.
Sogcwayi has now become a stablemate to current International Boxing Organisation (IBO) junior-bantamweight champion Ricardo Malajika, World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver minimumweight titlist Siyakholwa Kuse, IBO Youth bantamweight title holder Charlton Malajika, WBC Africa flyweight champion Ndabezinhle Phiri and Ethan Peters.
Previously, Mdantsane-born Sogcwayi was trained by former South African flyweight champion Ncedo Cecane. Sogcwayi, who made his professional debut in March last year, has won all his four fights having stopped two of his victims.
“He called me in December asking whether it was possible for him to join our gym and I said yes. The deal is that he’s gonna be working with me,” Sogcwayi’s new manager Brian Mitchell said.
With Sogcwayi having been managed by Thembelani ‘Shakes’ Hlombe, Mitchell said: “I have done a deal with Shakes to keep him involved. We will look after him. He’s been Sanele’s manager for a while.”
Mitchell added: “Sanele is going to be trained by Manny Fernandes. I’m very excited with this move and I believe in him. I believe we will take him all the way to the world title. We probably have the best gym in the country with small guys. Sanele is the heavier in the gym. My gym is full now that Sanele has joined us.”
Sogcwayi is preparing for his next fight, which is going to be held at the Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, on Saturday, 28 March. This is the same venue where he made his professional debut. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
