Moving away from Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape seems to have breathed more life into former South African champion Ncedo Cecane’s career as a chief boxing trainer at the WBC Gym in downtown Johannesburg.
Just this year alone, the erstwhile SA flyweight titlist has won 19 fights as a trainer and only registered one draw, which was last Friday between Ardy Katompa from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Lopez Maluleke at the Fourways Farmers Market in Johannesburg.
“I started working here in October last year. You will recall that my boxers fight every month and I have managed to draw once in 20 fights this year. I have been winning since I started working here and I’m very happy with how far I have gone,” Cecane said.
Before he started working with Cecane, Katompa had not won in his last five fights as he had lost three times and drawn twice. Cecane’s arrival seemed to be what the doctor ordered as Katompa has won twice and drawn once.
Katompa’s most memorable win was a 10th round stoppage victory over Siyabulela Hem, who was regarded as a favourite to defeat him before they met. The Congolese sent the Orient Theatre in KuGompo City into silence as he mercilessly pummelled Hem.
As recent as last Friday, Cecane led his latest recruit, Sibulele ‘Lova’ Soboois, to a third round stoppage win over Asanda Mkhwanazi. The latter collapsed on her stool before she was attended to by ringside doctors and paramedics.
And South African minimumweight champion, Thinumzi Gqola, is one of Cecane’s boxers whom he had been training since theye were together in KuGompo City.
“Gqola is here with me. He goes wherever I go. Training here is far better in terms of equipment and the manner in which we condition our boxers. It makes sense to train here when you are preparing to fight in coastal areas. I have been given accommodation and transport to and from the gym,” Cecane remarked.
Malawian junior-welterweight champion, Mayamiko Mozland, is one boxers trained by Cecane. Mozland defeated Angolan Antonio Maiala last Friday.
And now Cecane is busy with Tendai Sinakoma’s final preparations as he is preparing for Saturday’s fight against Bonginkosi Nhlapho at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
