A BITTER feud in the camp of former IBF female world welterweight champion Noni Thenge has led to the fighter severing ties with long-time trainer Boy Boy Mpulampula.
The split comes just weeks before Thenge’s return to the ring when she will face Argentinean Sylvia Zacharias in a WBA International welterweight title that will also serve as a final eliminator at East London’s Orient Theatre on June 2.
However, Mpulampula denied the split while Thenge could not be reached for comment.
Thenge is believed to be preparing for the fight at the Sisonke Boxing Club in NU8 Mdantsane where Mpulampula’s former assistant trainer Fanisile Ndaba is now in charge of her training duties.
Ndaba confirmed that he was in charge of Thenge’s training but declined to say he would be in her corner for her fight against Zacharias.
Ndaba also admitted he had upgraded her licence to that of chief trainer.
According to insiders, the tiff stems from Thenge’s last fight when she suffered her first professional defeat in 13 bouts after she was stopped in eight rounds by American Layla MacCarter in October last year.
Mpulampula allegedly refused to share the 10% believed to be R25 000 he received from promoter Andile Sidinile, who staged the tournament.
The camp, consisting of Mpulampula, Vido Mtekwana, who manages Sisonke Boxing Club, Ndaba and Balekile Sam, was rocked by discontent when Mpulampula was the only one paid from the fight and did not share with other club members.
Mtekwana had confirmed to the Daily Dispatch soon after the fight that he and other members of the camp were not paid anything .
He subsequently arranged a meeting with Mpulampula but the pair got embroiled in a heated quarrel, resulting in Mpulampula walking out and Mtekwana banning him from ever coming to the club.
Thenge allegedly sided with Mtekwana especially after he successfully negotiated with Sidinile to increase her purse for the June 2 fight from R120 000 to R140 000.
Mtekwana confirmed he had successfully negotiated to increase Thenge’s purse but declined to reveal the figure.
Although Mpulampula was banned from Sisonke, he has since returned to the club where he exclusively trains SA junior- flyweight champion Bongani Silila .
He was reportedly allowed back to the club after intervention by Siphatho Handi who manages fighters training at Enothole Boxing Club which is a sister gymnasium of Sisonke.
Handi confirmed arranging a meeting between Mtekwana and Mpulampula to allow him back at Sisonke.
Sidinile declined to comment on the issue.
Feud sees Noni drop her trainer
The split comes just weeks before Thenge’s return to the ring when she will face Argentinean Sylvia Zacharias in a WBA International welterweight title that will also serve as a final eliminator at East London’s Orient Theatre on June 2.
However, Mpulampula denied the split while Thenge could not be reached for comment.
Thenge is believed to be preparing for the fight at the Sisonke Boxing Club in NU8 Mdantsane where Mpulampula’s former assistant trainer Fanisile Ndaba is now in charge of her training duties.
Ndaba confirmed that he was in charge of Thenge’s training but declined to say he would be in her corner for her fight against Zacharias.
Ndaba also admitted he had upgraded her licence to that of chief trainer.
According to insiders, the tiff stems from Thenge’s last fight when she suffered her first professional defeat in 13 bouts after she was stopped in eight rounds by American Layla MacCarter in October last year.
Mpulampula allegedly refused to share the 10% believed to be R25 000 he received from promoter Andile Sidinile, who staged the tournament.
The camp, consisting of Mpulampula, Vido Mtekwana, who manages Sisonke Boxing Club, Ndaba and Balekile Sam, was rocked by discontent when Mpulampula was the only one paid from the fight and did not share with other club members.
Mtekwana had confirmed to the Daily Dispatch soon after the fight that he and other members of the camp were not paid anything .
He subsequently arranged a meeting with Mpulampula but the pair got embroiled in a heated quarrel, resulting in Mpulampula walking out and Mtekwana banning him from ever coming to the club.
Thenge allegedly sided with Mtekwana especially after he successfully negotiated with Sidinile to increase her purse for the June 2 fight from R120 000 to R140 000.
Mtekwana confirmed he had successfully negotiated to increase Thenge’s purse but declined to reveal the figure.
Although Mpulampula was banned from Sisonke, he has since returned to the club where he exclusively trains SA junior- flyweight champion Bongani Silila .
He was reportedly allowed back to the club after intervention by Siphatho Handi who manages fighters training at Enothole Boxing Club which is a sister gymnasium of Sisonke.
Handi confirmed arranging a meeting between Mtekwana and Mpulampula to allow him back at Sisonke.
Sidinile declined to comment on the issue.
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