What started as a holy union between Mlandeli Tengimfene and the Tete boxing brothers has turned ugly after Tengimfene demanded to be paid a percentage as the manager despite the expiry of the contract.
Tengimfene is demanding about R37 500 from Makazole Tete’s fight when he fought Filipino Renx Rosia for the IBO Intercontinental flyweight title at Orient Theatre in East London on April 24.
This even though his management contract with the boxer expired on April 1.
Makazole, who is the older brother of IBF world junior-bantamweight champion Zolani, left Tengimfene’s All Winners Boxing Club to join Dowie Mzini under whom he prepared for the fight.
Tengimfene reportedly objected to Makazole’s joining Mzini’s stable but when the boxer insisted that he was happy under Mzini, the manager called Mzini for a meeting to discuss among others the sharing of the 25%.
A manager is entitled to 25% of the boxer’s purse which he shares with the trainers and assistants.
Mzini confirmed that Tengimfene refused to budge when the issue of the percentage sharing was raised. “He told us that this was all business to him and nothing else,” said Mzini.
The impasse has led to Makazole’s purse being temporarily held by Boxing SA after Tengimfene wrote to the regulatory body informing it of his entitlement to the cash.
This incensed the boxer’s family as the brothers are breadwinners since their father Zolile is unemployed and their mother Nomonde is confined to a wheelchair owing to diabetes.
Zolile confirmed that the family hauled Tengimfene to a meeting demanding the release of the boxer’s purse believed to be R150000.
“Yes we called Mla because Makazole was being affected by the dispute,” said Zolile.
Makazole’s purse was eventually released but Mzini and his assistants are yet to be paid their share.
Tengimfene admitted that he was expecting to get the 25% but could not say if his contract was still valid.
“I have not received the money as yet but I trust Makazole that he will pay me,” he said.
However, Makazole’s promoter Ayanda Matiti who organised the fight is adamant that Tengimfene did nothing to deserve the pay.
A manager’s job is among others to organise fights, help with his training, secure endorsement deals and sponsorships for boxers.
Matiti said besides the expiry of the contract Tengimfene did not even ask him to organise a fight for Tete.
Mzini says the holding back of the money has created tension between him and his assistants.
“They do not believe me when I say I have not been paid either. But we will sort this thing out expediently.”
The relationship between Tengimfene and the Tete brothers has soured to such an extent that even Zolani is training by himself with no supervision.
This when he is due to make a mandatory title defence against unbeaten Puerto Rican MacJoe Arroyo in a date yet to be decided.
Asked why he was training by himself, Zolani responded: “ I have no one to train me.”
Tetes on warpath over pay
Tengimfene is demanding about R37 500 from Makazole Tete’s fight when he fought Filipino Renx Rosia for the IBO Intercontinental flyweight title at Orient Theatre in East London on April 24.
This even though his management contract with the boxer expired on April 1.
Makazole, who is the older brother of IBF world junior-bantamweight champion Zolani, left Tengimfene’s All Winners Boxing Club to join Dowie Mzini under whom he prepared for the fight.
Tengimfene reportedly objected to Makazole’s joining Mzini’s stable but when the boxer insisted that he was happy under Mzini, the manager called Mzini for a meeting to discuss among others the sharing of the 25%.
A manager is entitled to 25% of the boxer’s purse which he shares with the trainers and assistants.
Mzini confirmed that Tengimfene refused to budge when the issue of the percentage sharing was raised. “He told us that this was all business to him and nothing else,” said Mzini.
The impasse has led to Makazole’s purse being temporarily held by Boxing SA after Tengimfene wrote to the regulatory body informing it of his entitlement to the cash.
This incensed the boxer’s family as the brothers are breadwinners since their father Zolile is unemployed and their mother Nomonde is confined to a wheelchair owing to diabetes.
Zolile confirmed that the family hauled Tengimfene to a meeting demanding the release of the boxer’s purse believed to be R150000.
“Yes we called Mla because Makazole was being affected by the dispute,” said Zolile.
Makazole’s purse was eventually released but Mzini and his assistants are yet to be paid their share.
Tengimfene admitted that he was expecting to get the 25% but could not say if his contract was still valid.
“I have not received the money as yet but I trust Makazole that he will pay me,” he said.
However, Makazole’s promoter Ayanda Matiti who organised the fight is adamant that Tengimfene did nothing to deserve the pay.
A manager’s job is among others to organise fights, help with his training, secure endorsement deals and sponsorships for boxers.
Matiti said besides the expiry of the contract Tengimfene did not even ask him to organise a fight for Tete.
Mzini says the holding back of the money has created tension between him and his assistants.
“They do not believe me when I say I have not been paid either. But we will sort this thing out expediently.”
The relationship between Tengimfene and the Tete brothers has soured to such an extent that even Zolani is training by himself with no supervision.
This when he is due to make a mandatory title defence against unbeaten Puerto Rican MacJoe Arroyo in a date yet to be decided.
Asked why he was training by himself, Zolani responded: “ I have no one to train me.”
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