Bungu begs Komanisi not to quit boxing
Retirement remarks after shock loss ‘may be spur of the moment decision’
Boxing legend Vuyani Bungu has joined boxing fans who are appealing to former world champion Lusanda Komanisi to reconsider his decision to retire.
Komanisi dropped a bombshell at the weekend when he announced that he was quitting the game following his shocking fourth round knockout loss to unheralded Michael Mokoena in an ABU lightweight title clash at Emperors Palace on Saturday.
The fight marked Komanisi’s debut in the division and in the Golden Gloves Promotion fold.
He had reigned as the SA and IBO world featherweight champion.
But after a crushing defeat to Filipino Jhack Tepora in the featherweight he decided to jump two divisions to launch an ambitious campaign in the bigger lightweight division subsequently suffering the demoralising loss.
Assailed by emotions as it is always the case after his fights be it a win or a loss, Komanisi announced on social media that he was turning his back on the game.
But his decision was roundly criticised by his legion of fans asking him to reconsider it as it was taken in the heat of the moment.
Bungu joined the chorus, arguing that decisions taken while emotions were at a peak were not good.
“If I were to sit down with him I would tell him to take time before making such a decision,” said Bungu.
Bungu should know better as he holds the record for most world title defences by a South African boxer, achieved through an assortment of challenges.
He has formed a foundation which among others would advise current boxers about their careers.
While admitting that the stoppage loss was not encouraging for Komanisi’s career, he however countered that the hard punching Mdantsane boxer could still bounce back and achieve big things in the ring.
“If I recall Komanisi is still under 30 years old so two or three wins can vault him back to the title mix.
“All he has to do is to sit down with someone and pour his heart out about what he wants to achieve, how he wants to achieve it and then take a conscious decision to go for it.”
Indeed Komanisi will turn 29 years old next month and while the loss to Mokoena was his fifth, he still sports an impressive record of 18 stoppages in 21 wins.
However he is an emotional boxer having made remarks at an inappropriate time.
One such remark which rubbed up local fans the wrong way was when he accused them of wanting him to fail.
After beating Tello Dithebe of Free State, he brazenly challenged Duncan Village star Azinga Fuzile calling for all top featherweight boxers to be pitted against each other to determine the best.
Bungu said judging by some remarks Komanisi should not be taken very seriously.
“Boxing fans should not hold him against his remarks because they are often made in the heat of the moment.”
Meanwhile, GGP boss Rodney Berman could not commit if he would still use Komanisi in his promotion.
“Obviously although he is a big puncher but he lacks a solid chin,” was all Berman was able to say after the shocking knockout loss.
Berman further announced that he was working on arranging a rematch between Thomas Oosthuizen and Thabiso Mchunu following their controversial outcome of their ABU cruiserweight title clash in the main bout of the Komanisi-Mokoena clash.
This after Oosthuizen was voted the winner by scores of 115-113 twice and 114-114 much to the displeasure of Mchunu’s camp.
Berman said he was planning to stage the rematch in December on the undercard of Mdantsane boxer Thulani Mbenge’s ring return...
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