ONE of the boxing loyal marriages between Macbute Sinyabi and Nick Durandt has finally ended after the fighter left the revered Johannesburg trainer at the weekend.
Durandt confirmed that Sinyabi sent him an SMS informing him that he had left him.
“He sent me a message on my phone saying that he had a lot of personal issues he needs to sort out and was returning to East London,” Durandt confirmed.
While boxing marriages usually end acrimoniously with accusations and counter-accusations, Durandt said he fully supported Sinyabi and would be behind him in whatever decision he takes.
Durandt and Sinyabi enjoyed a five- year relationship after the popular Mdantsane fighter left Mzi Mnguni’s Eyethu gymnasium shortly after winning the SA junior-featherweight crown with a first round knockout victory over Tshepo Mofokeng in 2008.
Mnguni contested the split, claiming he had a valid contract with the fighter, prompting Sinyabi to take the case to the Bhisho High Court where he scored a benchmark victory that freed him to join Durandt.
Under the tutelage of Durandt, Sinyabi defended the SA title nine times beating Duncan Village fighter Thabo Sonjica twice before Sonjica finally relieved him of the crown in March this year.
Durandt said Sinyabi’s defeat to Sonjica affected him badly and dealt him a psychological blow.
“He was reserved after the loss to Sonjica and his confidence took a huge knock,” said Durandt.
Sinyabi was one of the charismatic champions in the country with a huge following that filled East London’s Orient Theatre .
The big punching boxer who knocked out 18 of his 20 victims with just three losses, was the darling of several radio stations for his eloquent manner in which he expressed himself.
While no confirmation was received, the Daily Dispatch has learnt that Sinyabi has joined former world champion Welcome Ncita who is yet to reopen a boxing club .
While Ncita could not be reached to confirm the reports, Durandt admitted to hearing about Sinyabi joining Ncita.
It is understood that Sinyabi wanted to participate in the soon-to-be launched Premier Boxing League (PBL) where he would act as the ambassador but Durandt would not allow him.
However, Durandt denied the allegations saying that Sinyabi’s name was the first he put on the list of applications he made for his boxers to participate in the league.
The end of the working relationship between Durandt and Sinyabi marks a partnership which was tested to the limit when outside forces attempted to drive a wedge between the pair.
At one stage Sinyabi was caught between a rock and a hard place when he was not keen to renew his promotional contract with Branco Milenkovic, who promotes Durandt’s fighters.
Sinyabi was fed up with the apathy shown by Milenkovic towards him when the Johannesburg promoter did not feature him in his shows for the duration of their two-year contract.
However due to his deep friendship with Durandt, Sinyabi relented and renewed the contract.
“I am only renewing this contract because I do not want to break up with Nick as this guy has done so much for me,” Sinyabi then said.
Milenkovic arranged for Sinyabi to contest for the IBF junior-featherweight title eliminator against the late Thai fighter Thangthong Kiattaweesuk in Thailand in May last year with Sinyabi losing by a 10th round stoppage.
Sinyabi said he was in a meeting when the Dispatch called him and promised to call back, but never did.
Sinyabi parts ways with Durandt camp
Durandt confirmed that Sinyabi sent him an SMS informing him that he had left him.
“He sent me a message on my phone saying that he had a lot of personal issues he needs to sort out and was returning to East London,” Durandt confirmed.
While boxing marriages usually end acrimoniously with accusations and counter-accusations, Durandt said he fully supported Sinyabi and would be behind him in whatever decision he takes.
Durandt and Sinyabi enjoyed a five- year relationship after the popular Mdantsane fighter left Mzi Mnguni’s Eyethu gymnasium shortly after winning the SA junior-featherweight crown with a first round knockout victory over Tshepo Mofokeng in 2008.
Mnguni contested the split, claiming he had a valid contract with the fighter, prompting Sinyabi to take the case to the Bhisho High Court where he scored a benchmark victory that freed him to join Durandt.
Under the tutelage of Durandt, Sinyabi defended the SA title nine times beating Duncan Village fighter Thabo Sonjica twice before Sonjica finally relieved him of the crown in March this year.
Durandt said Sinyabi’s defeat to Sonjica affected him badly and dealt him a psychological blow.
“He was reserved after the loss to Sonjica and his confidence took a huge knock,” said Durandt.
Sinyabi was one of the charismatic champions in the country with a huge following that filled East London’s Orient Theatre .
The big punching boxer who knocked out 18 of his 20 victims with just three losses, was the darling of several radio stations for his eloquent manner in which he expressed himself.
While no confirmation was received, the Daily Dispatch has learnt that Sinyabi has joined former world champion Welcome Ncita who is yet to reopen a boxing club .
While Ncita could not be reached to confirm the reports, Durandt admitted to hearing about Sinyabi joining Ncita.
It is understood that Sinyabi wanted to participate in the soon-to-be launched Premier Boxing League (PBL) where he would act as the ambassador but Durandt would not allow him.
However, Durandt denied the allegations saying that Sinyabi’s name was the first he put on the list of applications he made for his boxers to participate in the league.
The end of the working relationship between Durandt and Sinyabi marks a partnership which was tested to the limit when outside forces attempted to drive a wedge between the pair.
At one stage Sinyabi was caught between a rock and a hard place when he was not keen to renew his promotional contract with Branco Milenkovic, who promotes Durandt’s fighters.
Sinyabi was fed up with the apathy shown by Milenkovic towards him when the Johannesburg promoter did not feature him in his shows for the duration of their two-year contract.
However due to his deep friendship with Durandt, Sinyabi relented and renewed the contract.
“I am only renewing this contract because I do not want to break up with Nick as this guy has done so much for me,” Sinyabi then said.
Milenkovic arranged for Sinyabi to contest for the IBF junior-featherweight title eliminator against the late Thai fighter Thangthong Kiattaweesuk in Thailand in May last year with Sinyabi losing by a 10th round stoppage.
Sinyabi said he was in a meeting when the Dispatch called him and promised to call back, but never did.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos