Xolisani Ndongeni’s trainer Colin Nathan believes his new recruit is a special talent despite his harder than expected victory over veteran Mzonke Fana when they contested for the WBA Pan African lightweight title at Emperor’s Palace on Saturday night.
The fight was billed as a coming-out party for the unbeaten Mount Frere-born boxer as he made his debut under new management of Nathan and promoter Rodney Berman.
This, after Ndongeni left his Duncan Village home to join Nathan and Berman in Johannesburg.
Hailed as the next big thing capable of following in the footsteps of lightweight greats such as Dingaan Thobela, Ndongeni was expected to produce a virtuoso performance against the ageing Fana who has shown signs of slipping in his last bouts.
And in true Ndongeni style, he entered the ring amid fanfare as he danced and sang along the blaring chants of his trademark Nomeva song which has given rise to his moniker.
But once the fight started, the excitement evaporated as he struggled to transform his flashy ring entrance into action.
The 26-year-old appeared confused by Fana’s jab which unsettled him and prevented him from charging in.
A self-proclaimed technically flawed boxer, Ndongeni missed badly with his swings while Fana’s jab constantly found the target.
By the middle rounds, Ndongeni seemed to have run out of ideas while the experienced Fana incorporated a sneaky right to his arsenal.
Nathan was overheard literally shouting at Ndongeni to fight at close quarters and it was in the last few rounds that his charge appeared to follow the advice as he applied the pressure on the tiring Fana.
Still, the fight could have gone either way and the majority decision in favour of Ndongeni was greeted with disdain by sections of the crowd.
But Nathan felt his charge did enough to eke out the victory.
“It was a tough and close fight but I think we pulled it out in the last two rounds.”
Nathan conceded Ndongeni still has a long way to go before he can be considered an elite boxer.
“There is so much to learn and this was a big step-up in class for him. I think he did well and showed that he has potential.”
The win stretched Ndongeni’s record to 18 wins in as many fights with eight stoppages.
Fana, a former two-time world champion, proved that he is still a handful against any boxer who wants to use him as a stepping stone.
While he was a loser, Fana left the ring more like a winner given his performance which has earned him yet another fight.
Berman could not be reached for comment about his highly touted new charge but after such a performance Ndongeni will need to work extra hard to please his new handlers.
Other results on the bill saw an overweight Thomas Oosthuizen forfeiting his IBO light heavyweight crown on the scales after making the weight for his defence against New Zealander Robert Berridge. But a flabby looking Oosthuizen won the uneventful fight on points rendering the title vacant.
Johnny Muller appeared to be fortunate to earn a split nod over Mateusz Masternak of Poland in their international cruiserweight clash.
Ndongeni does it but fails to impress fans
The fight was billed as a coming-out party for the unbeaten Mount Frere-born boxer as he made his debut under new management of Nathan and promoter Rodney Berman.
This, after Ndongeni left his Duncan Village home to join Nathan and Berman in Johannesburg.
Hailed as the next big thing capable of following in the footsteps of lightweight greats such as Dingaan Thobela, Ndongeni was expected to produce a virtuoso performance against the ageing Fana who has shown signs of slipping in his last bouts.
And in true Ndongeni style, he entered the ring amid fanfare as he danced and sang along the blaring chants of his trademark Nomeva song which has given rise to his moniker.
But once the fight started, the excitement evaporated as he struggled to transform his flashy ring entrance into action.
The 26-year-old appeared confused by Fana’s jab which unsettled him and prevented him from charging in.
A self-proclaimed technically flawed boxer, Ndongeni missed badly with his swings while Fana’s jab constantly found the target.
By the middle rounds, Ndongeni seemed to have run out of ideas while the experienced Fana incorporated a sneaky right to his arsenal.
Nathan was overheard literally shouting at Ndongeni to fight at close quarters and it was in the last few rounds that his charge appeared to follow the advice as he applied the pressure on the tiring Fana.
Still, the fight could have gone either way and the majority decision in favour of Ndongeni was greeted with disdain by sections of the crowd.
But Nathan felt his charge did enough to eke out the victory.
“It was a tough and close fight but I think we pulled it out in the last two rounds.”
Nathan conceded Ndongeni still has a long way to go before he can be considered an elite boxer.
“There is so much to learn and this was a big step-up in class for him. I think he did well and showed that he has potential.”
The win stretched Ndongeni’s record to 18 wins in as many fights with eight stoppages.
Fana, a former two-time world champion, proved that he is still a handful against any boxer who wants to use him as a stepping stone.
While he was a loser, Fana left the ring more like a winner given his performance which has earned him yet another fight.
Berman could not be reached for comment about his highly touted new charge but after such a performance Ndongeni will need to work extra hard to please his new handlers.
Other results on the bill saw an overweight Thomas Oosthuizen forfeiting his IBO light heavyweight crown on the scales after making the weight for his defence against New Zealander Robert Berridge. But a flabby looking Oosthuizen won the uneventful fight on points rendering the title vacant.
Johnny Muller appeared to be fortunate to earn a split nod over Mateusz Masternak of Poland in their international cruiserweight clash.
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