Boxers and trainers are unanimous in their conviction that the sport of boxing in Africa will sadly miss the continent’s most successful trainer Nick “Mthakathi” Durandt.
He was given the moniker of wizard because boxers who left his productive stable would hit all-time lows.
Durandt, 53, produced more than 100 national and world champions.
He announced last week that he has retired from boxing after 29 years.
Silence Mabuza, Isaac Hlatshwayo, Osborne Machimana and Dingaan Thobela as well as trainers Bernie Pailman and Manny Fernandes said if there was a way, Durandt should be convinced to reconsider his decision.
Mabuza, who won the IBO bantamweight belt under Durandt, said: “He would never take an ill-prepared boxer to the ring.
“Not only was he a good motivator but also a brilliant negotiator. He made a lot of boxers champions, myself, included. Nick was a showman, and the sport will miss him.”
Hlatshwayo won the IBF welterweight strap under Durandt.
“Nick is still too young to retire. There is no doubt that he remains the best trainer in the country by far,” asked Hlatshwayo.
Machimana defended the national heavyweight belt six times under the colourful and sometimes controversial trainer.
“He was a good ambassador for boxing. We want him back,” said Machimana, who will challenge current SA heavyweight holder Anton Nel in Benoni on May 28.
Thobela said it was sad that many people who contributed to local boxing were gradually leaving the sport.
“We can point fingers, but the question is what did boxers see in him to leave their stables ?
“I also wonder if Phillip Ndou would have gotten to the point of fighting Floyd Mayweather Junior if he was not trained by Nick,” said Thobela.
Fernandes, who was involved in a number of sporting escapades with Durandt before their boxers fought, said: “The sport will miss him. He’s the most successful trainer in Africa.
“It was a pleasure for me when my fighter beat his because I was an underdog.”
Durandt carved a niche for himself by becoming the first African trainer to produce a WBC champion in Thulani “Sugar Boy” Malinga, who won the super-middleweight belt from Nigel Benn in 1996.
Nick leaves his mark on fighters
He was given the moniker of wizard because boxers who left his productive stable would hit all-time lows.
Durandt, 53, produced more than 100 national and world champions.
He announced last week that he has retired from boxing after 29 years.
Silence Mabuza, Isaac Hlatshwayo, Osborne Machimana and Dingaan Thobela as well as trainers Bernie Pailman and Manny Fernandes said if there was a way, Durandt should be convinced to reconsider his decision.
Mabuza, who won the IBO bantamweight belt under Durandt, said: “He would never take an ill-prepared boxer to the ring.
“Not only was he a good motivator but also a brilliant negotiator. He made a lot of boxers champions, myself, included. Nick was a showman, and the sport will miss him.”
Hlatshwayo won the IBF welterweight strap under Durandt.
“Nick is still too young to retire. There is no doubt that he remains the best trainer in the country by far,” asked Hlatshwayo.
Machimana defended the national heavyweight belt six times under the colourful and sometimes controversial trainer.
“He was a good ambassador for boxing. We want him back,” said Machimana, who will challenge current SA heavyweight holder Anton Nel in Benoni on May 28.
Thobela said it was sad that many people who contributed to local boxing were gradually leaving the sport.
“We can point fingers, but the question is what did boxers see in him to leave their stables ?
“I also wonder if Phillip Ndou would have gotten to the point of fighting Floyd Mayweather Junior if he was not trained by Nick,” said Thobela.
Fernandes, who was involved in a number of sporting escapades with Durandt before their boxers fought, said: “The sport will miss him. He’s the most successful trainer in Africa.
“It was a pleasure for me when my fighter beat his because I was an underdog.”
Durandt carved a niche for himself by becoming the first African trainer to produce a WBC champion in Thulani “Sugar Boy” Malinga, who won the super-middleweight belt from Nigel Benn in 1996.
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