Tsakani – Mthokozisi ‘Challenge’ Xundu (16) is the new junior South African National Boxing Organisation (SANABO) champion.
The South African National Amateur Boxing Organisation Championships were held at the Tzaneen Mall in Limpopo from September 26 to 28.
“My father and I have been preparing for this day for a long time. I started boxing when I was six, and 10 years later, I won my first national title. I am very blessed,” said the teenager.
The weight division for the championship is 13 to 14 years, called cadets, and the 15- to 16-year-olds are called juniors. Xundu said reaching this goal has made him move the goalpost and want even more.
One of his new goals is to qualify for the 2028 Olympics. In his first fight of the championship, Xundu faced Milan Magula from the Western Cape.
“I felt quite anxious because this was my first fight in over a year. But as soon as I got into the ring and the bell rang, the nerves left me, and I just boxed. I don’t feel I did my best,” he explained.
Xundu won the match on points. In the semi-finals, Xundu met Kwandiwe Nomama from the Eastern Cape.
“I was quite scared in that fight, and the pressure just mounted. But I had a strategy, which worked. In my opinion, that was the hardest fight of the tournament,” he said.
Xundu also won that fight on points. In the final, he fought Sboniso Mazombuka from Mpumalanga.
“That fight was over as soon as it started. I hit Mazombuka with a massive leftover hand hook on his chin, and he fell,” he exclaimed.
ALSO READ: Kuso Fun Walk unites community for Heritage Day and GBV awareness
Xundu also won the best boxer trophy in his category. In the first round, Xundu won on a referee stoppage to save Mazombuka.
The founder and coach of Total Success Boxing Club, Lwazi Xundu, said it has not been an easy journey.
“Considering his school schedule and lack of fight time, it was hard to ensure he was ready. I knew the boys he would meet in this grading level would be eager to take the gold medals to their provinces. And we managed to put our club on the map. Our hard work paid off.
“I have always been committed to helping these young ones become champions,” explained Xundu.
He said the club still has challenges with training equipment, and he hopes individuals and businesses will come to the table and help them.
ALSO READ: SPAR named sponsor of the year at prestigious Momentum gsport Awards
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
