MFUNDO Gwayana is one of the boxers whose inclusion in the lucrative Premier Boxing League (PBL) raised eyebrows.
However, the former SA junior-flyweight champion who got the nod to compete in the flyweight division ahead of top-rated flyweight boxers is adamant that he will remain the last man standing in the league.
Gwayana has been drawn against unbeaten rising star Makazole Tete, with the other slot filled by SA champion Lwandile Sityatha against the unheralded Capetonian, Mzuvukile Magwaca.
Gwayana, 29, has been blighted by long spells of inactivity and only returned to action three months ago when he scored a hard-fought points victory over fellow former titleholder Vuyani Kheswa.
Detractors feel such a victory should not be enough to qualify him to compete in the high-octane league at the expense of proven boxers who have cemented their status in the flyweight division.
But Gwayana’s new trainer, Vido Madikane, dismissed the criticisms, arguing that his charge is a proven boxer who has blazed a trail against the best in South Africa.
“I do not know which boxer deserves to be selected ahead of Gwayana,” he said.
“If Gwayana’s name is mentioned, everybody knows who he is and I should think that the league should be about boxers who have cross-over appeal to the public.”
There is no denying that Gwayana has shared the ring with the best this country has to offer, including back-to-back battles against the then highly regarded Muvhuso Nedzanani in a failed SA title challenge.
Gwayana’s biggest moment in the spotlight came in tragic circumstances when he scored a fourth-round win over Samora Msophi, who later died from head injuries suffered in their fight.
While he will be facing an unbeaten star in Tete, who is the older brother of the more popular Zolani, Gwayana (16-6-2, 9KOs) is not even worried that a defeat might reinforce the argument that he did not deserve to be in the league in the first place.
“We are not even spending sleepless nights about Tete,” Madikane stressed.
Gwayana out to prove his critics wrong
However, the former SA junior-flyweight champion who got the nod to compete in the flyweight division ahead of top-rated flyweight boxers is adamant that he will remain the last man standing in the league.
Gwayana has been drawn against unbeaten rising star Makazole Tete, with the other slot filled by SA champion Lwandile Sityatha against the unheralded Capetonian, Mzuvukile Magwaca.
Gwayana, 29, has been blighted by long spells of inactivity and only returned to action three months ago when he scored a hard-fought points victory over fellow former titleholder Vuyani Kheswa.
Detractors feel such a victory should not be enough to qualify him to compete in the high-octane league at the expense of proven boxers who have cemented their status in the flyweight division.
But Gwayana’s new trainer, Vido Madikane, dismissed the criticisms, arguing that his charge is a proven boxer who has blazed a trail against the best in South Africa.
“I do not know which boxer deserves to be selected ahead of Gwayana,” he said.
“If Gwayana’s name is mentioned, everybody knows who he is and I should think that the league should be about boxers who have cross-over appeal to the public.”
There is no denying that Gwayana has shared the ring with the best this country has to offer, including back-to-back battles against the then highly regarded Muvhuso Nedzanani in a failed SA title challenge.
Gwayana’s biggest moment in the spotlight came in tragic circumstances when he scored a fourth-round win over Samora Msophi, who later died from head injuries suffered in their fight.
While he will be facing an unbeaten star in Tete, who is the older brother of the more popular Zolani, Gwayana (16-6-2, 9KOs) is not even worried that a defeat might reinforce the argument that he did not deserve to be in the league in the first place.
“We are not even spending sleepless nights about Tete,” Madikane stressed.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos