The odds were heavily stacked against Gauteng boxer Thato Bonokoane when he flew out of South Africa for Russia on Wednesday.
It’s then no wonder that Bonokoane failed in his bid to win the then vacant World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Oriental junior-featherweight title.
Bonokoane suffered a ninth round technical knockout loss to Asror Vokhidov from Tajikistan at the RCC Boxing Academy in Ekaterinburg, Russia, on Saturday.
Bonokoane and his trainer Lehlohonolo Ledwaba only arrived in cold Russia 48 hours before the Vokhidov clash.
“It’s so bad this side. Sad part is that we had to change flights five times to be where we are. For us South Africans I don’t think it’s a wise move to be this side. I don’t think I will come here ever again,” Ledwaba said before Saturday’s fight.
Normally, boxers spend a week in a foreign country before fighting. But it was not the case with Bonokoane and Ledwaba.
