The champion — who went on to beat McKinney in their rematch in 1997 at the same venue for their first fight — fought under the guidance of successful trainer Mzimase Mnguni, whose boxers fought under the Golden Gloves banner of internationally respected promoter Rodney Berman.
It was also in August that South Africa produced its first IBO champion in 1998 when Simon “Cheetah” Ramoni dethroned Englishman Patrick Mullings as the bantamweight holder in the UK.
That was 10 years after the Florida, US-based, IBO was founded.
Ramoni’s illustrious career was guided by accomplished trainer Bokkie Martins in Toekomsrus on the West Rand.
The boxer paved the way for the likes of Mpush “Lion King” Makambi, Zolile “Bonecrusher” Mbityi and Peter “The Destroyer” Malinga, who also won belts from the same sanctioning organisation.
Other local boxers who won world titles in August are Phillip Holiday (IBF lightweight), Isaac Hlatshwayo (IBO lightweight and IBF welterweight), Lovemore Ndou (IBO welterweight), Mzukisi Sikali (WBU bantamweight), Malcolm Klassen (IBO junior lightweight), Bongani Mwelase (WBF junior middleweight), Ludumo Galada (WBF featherweight), Gary Murray (WBU welterweight) and Patrick Quka (WBU bantamweight) 1997.
August has been a good month for SA boxers
Columnist
Image: GALLO IMAGES
There is something unique about August when it comes to the history of South Africa.
Eleven local boxers won titles from different world sanctioning bodies.
Topping that list is the legendary Vuyani “The Beast” Bungu, who lifted the IBF junior featherweight title and ended the reign of revered defending champion Kennedy McKinney in 1994.
McKinney won that belt from Bungu’s former stablemate, Welcome “The Hawk” Ncita, in 1992.
The American — who won gold in the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea — was bidding for the sixth defence when he kissed the title goodbye.
Bungu was not given the slightest of chances but sheer hard work and determination enabled him to emphatically beat McKinney over 12 rounds in front of a big, animated crowd inside a marquee at the Carousel in Hammanskraal.
Bungu fought as if his life depended on the IBF belt.
He defended the title 13 times and the humble-mannered icon from Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, holds the record of being the only local boxer to do that.
The champion — who went on to beat McKinney in their rematch in 1997 at the same venue for their first fight — fought under the guidance of successful trainer Mzimase Mnguni, whose boxers fought under the Golden Gloves banner of internationally respected promoter Rodney Berman.
It was also in August that South Africa produced its first IBO champion in 1998 when Simon “Cheetah” Ramoni dethroned Englishman Patrick Mullings as the bantamweight holder in the UK.
That was 10 years after the Florida, US-based, IBO was founded.
Ramoni’s illustrious career was guided by accomplished trainer Bokkie Martins in Toekomsrus on the West Rand.
The boxer paved the way for the likes of Mpush “Lion King” Makambi, Zolile “Bonecrusher” Mbityi and Peter “The Destroyer” Malinga, who also won belts from the same sanctioning organisation.
Other local boxers who won world titles in August are Phillip Holiday (IBF lightweight), Isaac Hlatshwayo (IBO lightweight and IBF welterweight), Lovemore Ndou (IBO welterweight), Mzukisi Sikali (WBU bantamweight), Malcolm Klassen (IBO junior lightweight), Bongani Mwelase (WBF junior middleweight), Ludumo Galada (WBF featherweight), Gary Murray (WBU welterweight) and Patrick Quka (WBU bantamweight) 1997.
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