Thabo Sonjica might find himself being the subject of a tug-of-war between two top trainers just days after becoming the WBC silver featherweight champion.
Sonjica gave his career a massive boost when he claimed the vacant crown by halting Ghanaian George Krampah in four rounds at Mdantsane Indoor Centre last weekend.
His corner was manned by Johannesburg trainer Nick Durandt who is credited for whipping the errant boxer back into the straight and narrow after the ignominy of losing his IBO crown on the scales ahead of his title defence against Filipino Roli Gasca last August.
However, a day before Sonjica’s clash against Krampah his manager Mlandeli Tengimfene revealed that the boxer would return to the city to join former Boxing SA boss Loyiso Mtya who now trains Tengimfene’s other charge Zolani Tete.
“Thabo and Zolani will be the two boxers under the tutelage of Bro Loys,” Tengimfene told a press conference at Mdantsane Fitness Joint called to formally announce Tete’s decision to vacate his IBF world junior-bantamweight title.
However, Durandt told the Daily Dispatch that he will remain Sonjica’s trainer on a full-time basis.
“I am not a marhosha who trains boxers only for a short period,” Durandt said when asked if the boxer would remain with him.
“I am Sonjica’s trainer full-time.”
Durandt even gave Sonjica just one week to remain at his Duncan Village home to see his relatives and sort out his personal stuff before heading back to Johannesburg.
However, the hard-hitting left-hander was spotted at Tete’s training place in Downtown Gymnasium when the former champion conducted television interviews about his decision to renounce the world title.
Tengimfene said he would discuss the issue with Mtya and Durandt to find a lasting solution.
“Truth is under Durandt, Thabo is shut out from all distractions because all he does there is to train then rest,” said Tengimfene.
The Duncan Village environment where Sonjica is treated like a cult hero is said to be responsible for the boxer’s wayward lifestyle which has dragged him into all sorts of trouble including an accusation case which is still pending in court.
His former promoter Mzi Mnguni even tried to take him out of the crime-infested informal settlement to no avail.
Despite the abundance of talent he possesses, Sonjica was in danger of following on the footsteps of Duncan Village boxers who went off the rails until Tengimfene intervened and took him to Durandt in Johannesburg.
Mtya, a former left-handed champion in his heydays, holds a reputation of being able to bring out the best of similar styled boxers such as Tete and Sonjica.
“With Sonjica being a left-hander as well we felt his working relations with Mtya would maximise his potential but we need to apply our mind carefully,” said Tengimfene.
Gloves off for Sonjica
Sonjica gave his career a massive boost when he claimed the vacant crown by halting Ghanaian George Krampah in four rounds at Mdantsane Indoor Centre last weekend.
His corner was manned by Johannesburg trainer Nick Durandt who is credited for whipping the errant boxer back into the straight and narrow after the ignominy of losing his IBO crown on the scales ahead of his title defence against Filipino Roli Gasca last August.
However, a day before Sonjica’s clash against Krampah his manager Mlandeli Tengimfene revealed that the boxer would return to the city to join former Boxing SA boss Loyiso Mtya who now trains Tengimfene’s other charge Zolani Tete.
“Thabo and Zolani will be the two boxers under the tutelage of Bro Loys,” Tengimfene told a press conference at Mdantsane Fitness Joint called to formally announce Tete’s decision to vacate his IBF world junior-bantamweight title.
However, Durandt told the Daily Dispatch that he will remain Sonjica’s trainer on a full-time basis.
“I am not a marhosha who trains boxers only for a short period,” Durandt said when asked if the boxer would remain with him.
“I am Sonjica’s trainer full-time.”
Durandt even gave Sonjica just one week to remain at his Duncan Village home to see his relatives and sort out his personal stuff before heading back to Johannesburg.
However, the hard-hitting left-hander was spotted at Tete’s training place in Downtown Gymnasium when the former champion conducted television interviews about his decision to renounce the world title.
Tengimfene said he would discuss the issue with Mtya and Durandt to find a lasting solution.
“Truth is under Durandt, Thabo is shut out from all distractions because all he does there is to train then rest,” said Tengimfene.
The Duncan Village environment where Sonjica is treated like a cult hero is said to be responsible for the boxer’s wayward lifestyle which has dragged him into all sorts of trouble including an accusation case which is still pending in court.
His former promoter Mzi Mnguni even tried to take him out of the crime-infested informal settlement to no avail.
Despite the abundance of talent he possesses, Sonjica was in danger of following on the footsteps of Duncan Village boxers who went off the rails until Tengimfene intervened and took him to Durandt in Johannesburg.
Mtya, a former left-handed champion in his heydays, holds a reputation of being able to bring out the best of similar styled boxers such as Tete and Sonjica.
“With Sonjica being a left-hander as well we felt his working relations with Mtya would maximise his potential but we need to apply our mind carefully,” said Tengimfene.
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