Young pugilist has knockout moves, with a German godmother in his corner

And with his good looks, a perception he vigorously dismisses, Mbenge may be better suited as a model than a pugilist.

But when he steps into the ring he turns into a monster with his ferocious power, having knocked out all four of his opponents to date.

We sat down with him to find out about a number of issues including his decision to turn professional when he was one of the medal hopefuls for next year’s Rio Olympics.

BOXING MECCA: Where are you, Thulani? I hope you are not in Dominican Republic chilling out with Oxandia Castillo who you were seen offering a shoulder to cry on after her robbery against Noni Tenge.

THULANI MBENGE: (laughing uncontrollably) When will you stop accusing me about this woman my bro? I told you there was nothing between me and Oxandia.

BM: But I was not the only one who saw you guys getting cosy. Even your teammates saw you (Castillo was in the same hotel as the SA team which participated at the African Cup Championships in East London, of which Mbenge was a member).

TM: Those guys were talking rubbish.

BM: Are you flatly denying you ever spoke to her?

TM: Well, we did chat a little bit but it did not amount to anything.

BM: I hear that you are fluent in Spanish, Italian and German.

TM: I do understand German and Spanish a little bit.

BM: So are these rumours that you are a Ben 10 of German woman true?

TM: (bursting out laughing hilariously) Yhoo bro you destroying me now. You know it is so strange how these rumours have spread like this. I keep telling people I am not her Ben 10, she is my godmother.

BM: Come on now Thulani. Blacks have no such things as godmothers...

TM: But she is. Let me explain how this happened. We met through that bilateral agreement the Eastern Cape has with the German province of Lower Saxony. She was married but her husband passed away before they could have kids. So she adopted me as her godchild. That is all there is to it.

BM: What is her name and how often do you guys communicate?

TM: Her name is Svea Dettmer and we communicate almost every day.

BM: How did she react when you left the amateur ranks to turn professional?

TM: She wanted me to go to the Olympics so she was against the idea of me turning professional.

BM: Thulani, tell us why you decided to leave the amateur ranks when you stood a chance of going to the Olympics, having won the bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow last year?

TM: (becoming serious). Eish my bro. People do not understand the politics in the amateur ranks. The way Aiba is running the amateur ranks with these wings such as the professional and world boxing series, it means if you are not into those wings forget about going to the Olympics. Watch these upcoming Olympics and you will find all the boxers there belong to those Aiba wings. And it is not up to a boxer to be in those wings. You have to be selected and the selection is not based on performance. Otherwise your chances of going to the Olympics are next to nothing.

BM: Is this why the same boxers participate in every Olympic event?

TM: Precisely, and you need to be in a reputable country to be selected for Aiba wings. Then you stand a chance of going to the Olympics.

BM: How did you end up turning professional under Sean Smith of Johannesburg?

TM: Sean was apparently following my progress while I was at the amateurs and he kept persuading me to turn pro. When I won a gold medal at the Zone Four Champs in Pretoria last year he was there with Colin Nathan. And when we were invited by Sports Minister Mbalula to acknowledge our contribution and later went to watch Thabo Sonjica’s fight against Roli Gasca at Emperors Palace, Sean’s boxer Kevin was also fighting in that tournament so we met there again. He made a good offer I could not refuse.

BM: Are you aware that you Mdantsane boxers who are still training in Johannesburg under these white trainers are frowned upon here at home?

TM: Eish, but this is our career and we have to do what is best for us. I understand there are good trainers back home but there are other contributing factors for us to train in Johannesburg.

BM: Factors like securing endorsement deals?

TM: Yes there is that also. For instance right now I have two endorsement deals and I do not think I would have them if I was training back home.

BM: You have knocked out all four of your opponents and you are only 24. When do you want to fight for a world title?

TM: In two years time when I am 26 years old I want to challenge for a world title. Remember I am participating in the welterweight division which is the hottest and most lucrative in the world.

BM: But you have to first go through the likes of Paul Kamanga who is hailed as a future world champion.

TM: All I can say is that I knocked out Kamanga in the amateur ranks but I would rather say nothing about him at this stage.

BM: Back to your godmother ... Does that mean you will inherit her wealth when she passes away?

TM: (bursting out laughing) Geez, how can you think that my bro? What we do is collect takkies, gloves, soccer balls etc and donate them to needy communities. For instance, last year she was in Mdantsane and we visited several areas including Sisonke boxing gymnasium. She was touched by the squalid condition kids were training under and she bought them gloves.

BM: When can we expect you back in the ring?

TM: I am fighting on November 14 at Sandton but I have forgotten my opponent’s name.

BM: When will you fight in East London?

TM: I am dying to fight in East London even if it means I have to bring down my own opponent there by bus.

WHAT YOU DID NOT KNOW ABOUT MBENGE

He has a twin sister Thumeka whose passion is in politics.

His family live at NU8, Mdantsane.

He and his twin are two of five kids.

His clan name is Mncotshe, Ndala.