More than four years after their management relationship came to an abrupt end, former South African featherweight champion, Azinga ‘Golden Boy’ Fuzile, and award-winning trainer-cum-manager, Colin ‘Nomakanjani’ Nathan, have teamed up, yet again.
With the blessings of his manager, Mlandeli Tengimfene, Fuzile will be trained by erstwhile SA bantamweight titlist, Phumzile ‘Kid Chocolate’ Matyhila, at Nathan’s Hot Box Gym in Johannesburg.
Prior to returning to Johannesburg, Fuzile, a one-time International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior-lightweight title contender, had been training at All Winners Boxing Club in Mdantsane. And his last fight at All Winners Boxing Club was a majority decision win over Asanda ‘Dynamite’ Gingqi in April this year.
“I took Azinga to go start training under Kid in Johannesburg after the two of us were badly affected by Zolani Tete’s death. In fact, Zolani’s death devastated Azinga. Remember, Azinga had already started training with Zolani for the 29th of November. The death affected Azinga in such a way that he stopped training,” Tengimfene revealed.
The award-winning Tengimfene added: “Azinga was trained by Zolani for the past four years. He fought four times and lost only once. I had to take him away from this environment and took him to Johannesburg. And Kid was the obvious choice as we worked together before.
“Also, I have a very good relationship with Colin, who still feels that he has unfinished business with Azinga. We want Azinga to become a world champion, that’s our responsibility. I can make Azinga a world champion only with the people I trust. This is team work and Azinga is comfortable with that.
“I would like to thank Ndodomzi Mvambo, who was my high school classmate. He has helped me by accommodating Azinga at his Johannesburg home. I also have the support from Khwalo.”
Nathan said after reuniting with Fuzile: “Mla and I are good friends and he asked me to get Fuzile here. Fuzile will be training at Hot Box under Phumzile. As you know that Phumzile and I work together. Phumzile is a great coach and there’s gonna be good vibes here. It’s great to have the Golden Boy back in our stable.”
And since losing to Kenichi Ogawa in an IBF junior-lightweight title contest at the Madison Square Garden Theatre in New York, United States of America (USA), in November 2021, Duncan Village-born Fuzile managed to register four wins and a loss. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
