Watching Makazole Tete ply his fistic craft in the ring can convert the most ardent boxing antagonist into following the sport, but finds that behind the fearsome fighter is a sensitive man with a heart for art.
WHEN Tete is in action, the feeling he is inflicting pain on another individual is replaced by one of watching a painter working on a treasured portrait.
Tengimfene had to improvise and try to arrest the situation.
The apathy Tete shows to boxing has been glaring in his two fights since returning from Nick Durandt’s gymnasium in Johannesburg.
He was easily winning the bout against Mfundo Gwayana in the Premier Boxing League (PBL), even dropping Gwayana hard, but he just lost interest and allowed Gwayana to rally back and force a draw.
It was a similar occurrence against Mzuvukile Magwaca whom he wobbled in the early stages and appeared to be one punch away from a knockout victory only to fade and allow Magwaca to force a draw.
The two draws are the only blemishes in his fight record.
Aware the situation was getting out hand, Tengimfene decided to do something about this wasted talent.
“I had to take him to a psychologist and conditioner Mike McLoughlin.”
For the first time Tete showed commitment as he survived an early surge from Doctor Ntsele to prevail on points and take the WBA Pan African flyweight title which has helped him to crack into the top ten WBA ratings.
And his demolition job of Lento and Sifama has marked a change in attitude for the boxer.
But he admits that he will never be committed like his younger brother.
But when did Makazole lose interest in the sport for which he was a four-time amateur national champion?
“To be honest with you I was never really into boxing but I took it up because every youngster in the township was a boxer,” he says.
He and Zolani used to watch former SA junior flyweight champion Sizwe Sinyabi train through a broken window at NU 12 Mdantsane.
One day Sinyabi’s uncle Phathekile invited them in and that was when the boxing seed was planted.
“We became champions in the amateur ranks and in 2004, after passing my matric, I turned professional and after one fight I decided to go and further my studies.”
Despite his disdain for boxing, Makazole understands the role it plays in keeping him at least financially stable.
He yearns to be a world champion and join his younger brother as the country’s first ever boxing brothers to simultaneously hold world titles.
Boxing maestro packs a punch with his singing
WHEN Tete is in action, the feeling he is inflicting pain on another individual is replaced by one of watching a painter working on a treasured portrait.
Tengimfene had to improvise and try to arrest the situation.
The apathy Tete shows to boxing has been glaring in his two fights since returning from Nick Durandt’s gymnasium in Johannesburg.
He was easily winning the bout against Mfundo Gwayana in the Premier Boxing League (PBL), even dropping Gwayana hard, but he just lost interest and allowed Gwayana to rally back and force a draw.
It was a similar occurrence against Mzuvukile Magwaca whom he wobbled in the early stages and appeared to be one punch away from a knockout victory only to fade and allow Magwaca to force a draw.
The two draws are the only blemishes in his fight record.
Aware the situation was getting out hand, Tengimfene decided to do something about this wasted talent.
“I had to take him to a psychologist and conditioner Mike McLoughlin.”
For the first time Tete showed commitment as he survived an early surge from Doctor Ntsele to prevail on points and take the WBA Pan African flyweight title which has helped him to crack into the top ten WBA ratings.
And his demolition job of Lento and Sifama has marked a change in attitude for the boxer.
But he admits that he will never be committed like his younger brother.
But when did Makazole lose interest in the sport for which he was a four-time amateur national champion?
“To be honest with you I was never really into boxing but I took it up because every youngster in the township was a boxer,” he says.
He and Zolani used to watch former SA junior flyweight champion Sizwe Sinyabi train through a broken window at NU 12 Mdantsane.
One day Sinyabi’s uncle Phathekile invited them in and that was when the boxing seed was planted.
“We became champions in the amateur ranks and in 2004, after passing my matric, I turned professional and after one fight I decided to go and further my studies.”
Despite his disdain for boxing, Makazole understands the role it plays in keeping him at least financially stable.
He yearns to be a world champion and join his younger brother as the country’s first ever boxing brothers to simultaneously hold world titles.
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