One of the fastest growing boxing stables in the region Downtown gymnasium has been rocked by a massive exodus of boxers including two SA champions.
The Mvula brothers Siphosethu and Luyanda are among the boxers who bolted out of the stable owned by fitness guru Vido Madikane recently.
Madikane confirmed that the Mvula siblings have left the club but declined to give reasons for their departure.
Other boxers who have left include former SA junior-flyweight champion Mfundo Gwayana as well as veteran Themba Shicila.
Gwayana’s departure is particularly surprising after his career appeared to be dead and buried until he joined Downtown.
On joining the gymnasium Gwayana’s career experienced rejuvenation as he first held then current SA-WBA-Pan African champion Makazole Tete when he picked himself off the canvas in the Premier Boxing League (PBL) tournament.
Gwayana also avenged his first round knockout defeat by Bongani Silila by dethroning his former friend of his SA title.
Although he shockingly lost the title to unheralded Free Stater Thabiso Moorosi, he rebounded to score a victory over capable Mzwabantu Dabaza in the PBL show in Port Elizabeth.
Madikane was equally stunned by Gwayana’s departure but said he wished him all the best.
“I have never been obsessed with boxers so I am not overly worried by their departure,” he said.
“In fact those who know me will tell you that I often chase boxers away from my gym if they do not show commitment but in Gwayana’s case I was a bit stunned.”
Shicila also appeared to go through a resurgent phase after joining Downtown club. The 38-year-old veteran southpaw first gave Xolisani Ndongeni a tough fight in an SA junior-lightweight title challenge becoming the first boxer to lose a close decision to the unbeaten and often dominant Duncan Village star.
Shicila followed that up with a trip to Cape Town where he stunned Nkululeko Vengenayi to take the WBF Africa title marking the first time he won a piece of silverware in his 17 years period as a professional boxer.
However, Shicila suffered one of his worst defeat when he was stopped in two rounds by Mzonke Fana in Qumbu in April.
Madikane had planned to let the veteran southpaw defend his WBF Africa title once then retire and absorb him as part of his technical team that includes legendary Jackie Gunguluza.
The Mvula brothers also made their own history under Downtown with Siphosethu stunning favoured Unathi Gqokoma to take the SA junior-bantamweight crown when he had just six professional fights.
Siphosethu also did not disappoint when he dropped a points decision to Lwandile Sityatha for the vacant WBF crown.
However he has been struggling with weight just like Gwayana when he lost to Moorosi.
Siphosethu’s elder brother Luyanda was not given a chance when he challenged Moorosi for the SA crown but he stunned detractors by scoring a seven-round stoppage to take the title.
Madikane said the boxers were influenced to leave his stable but insisted that he would continue to train those interested in his services.
“My gym is going nowhere,” he said.
Besides training boxers the gym is also a fitness centre where all sorts of martial arts are offered.
Mthatha-born boxer Luthando Mbumbulwana is the only high-profile boxer who decided to remain with the club.
Top fighters dump Downtown gymnasium
The Mvula brothers Siphosethu and Luyanda are among the boxers who bolted out of the stable owned by fitness guru Vido Madikane recently.
Madikane confirmed that the Mvula siblings have left the club but declined to give reasons for their departure.
Other boxers who have left include former SA junior-flyweight champion Mfundo Gwayana as well as veteran Themba Shicila.
Gwayana’s departure is particularly surprising after his career appeared to be dead and buried until he joined Downtown.
On joining the gymnasium Gwayana’s career experienced rejuvenation as he first held then current SA-WBA-Pan African champion Makazole Tete when he picked himself off the canvas in the Premier Boxing League (PBL) tournament.
Gwayana also avenged his first round knockout defeat by Bongani Silila by dethroning his former friend of his SA title.
Although he shockingly lost the title to unheralded Free Stater Thabiso Moorosi, he rebounded to score a victory over capable Mzwabantu Dabaza in the PBL show in Port Elizabeth.
Madikane was equally stunned by Gwayana’s departure but said he wished him all the best.
“I have never been obsessed with boxers so I am not overly worried by their departure,” he said.
“In fact those who know me will tell you that I often chase boxers away from my gym if they do not show commitment but in Gwayana’s case I was a bit stunned.”
Shicila also appeared to go through a resurgent phase after joining Downtown club. The 38-year-old veteran southpaw first gave Xolisani Ndongeni a tough fight in an SA junior-lightweight title challenge becoming the first boxer to lose a close decision to the unbeaten and often dominant Duncan Village star.
Shicila followed that up with a trip to Cape Town where he stunned Nkululeko Vengenayi to take the WBF Africa title marking the first time he won a piece of silverware in his 17 years period as a professional boxer.
However, Shicila suffered one of his worst defeat when he was stopped in two rounds by Mzonke Fana in Qumbu in April.
Madikane had planned to let the veteran southpaw defend his WBF Africa title once then retire and absorb him as part of his technical team that includes legendary Jackie Gunguluza.
The Mvula brothers also made their own history under Downtown with Siphosethu stunning favoured Unathi Gqokoma to take the SA junior-bantamweight crown when he had just six professional fights.
Siphosethu also did not disappoint when he dropped a points decision to Lwandile Sityatha for the vacant WBF crown.
However he has been struggling with weight just like Gwayana when he lost to Moorosi.
Siphosethu’s elder brother Luyanda was not given a chance when he challenged Moorosi for the SA crown but he stunned detractors by scoring a seven-round stoppage to take the title.
Madikane said the boxers were influenced to leave his stable but insisted that he would continue to train those interested in his services.
“My gym is going nowhere,” he said.
Besides training boxers the gym is also a fitness centre where all sorts of martial arts are offered.
Mthatha-born boxer Luthando Mbumbulwana is the only high-profile boxer who decided to remain with the club.
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