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Johannesburg - Boxing’s new kid on the block, Azinga Golden Boy Fuzile, is not fazed by the tough year ahead as a matriculant and boxing champion.
At 20, South Africa’s youngest national boxing champion – who recently finished writing his Grade 11 exams at Kusile Comprehensive High School in Duncan Village, Eastern Cape – added another feather to his boxing cap by winning the World Boxing Council (WBC) youth featherweight crown.
This came after he knocked out Georgian boxer Giorgi Gochisvili in the first round at Mdantsane Indoor Centre last Friday.
Before then, he claimed the SA featherweight title by beating Macbute Sinyabi.
Golden Boy, who has compiled a ring record of six fights in which he is unbeaten, is headed for a demanding year as he has to grapple with passing matric and defending his crowns.
His ring accolades give him the honour of being the country’s first boxer in many years to win a South African title after fewer than 10 fights.
His fight against Sinyabi has been nominated as Boxing SA (BSA) Fight of the Year ahead of the BSA awards, which will be held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban on January 28.
Fuzile has also been nominated for the Prospect of the Year accolade. The nominees were announced a few days ago.
Fuzile says he is the envy of his schoolmates, adding that he will handle matric studies well next year while at the same time gear himself up to put his global championship belts on the line.
“I am going to divide my schedule well to ensure that I am able to study while also be involved in boxing. It’s a matter of planning well and ascertaining that neither boxing nor my studies suffer,” says Fuzile.
He says winning the WBC youth belt last week made him an instant hit at his school.
“My teachers and schoolmates have not stopped phoning me to congratulate me on winning the WBC junior title. I feel humbled and won’t disappoint my fans by losing.”
He hopes to pursue a career in farming while remaining the world champion.
“I intend to study agriculture and farming after completing matric. But I will still be boxing and would like to win a WBC title or an International Boxing Federation championship in future as well,” he says.
He says it will be great for him to become a full-time farmer once his boxing days are over.
“I would like to have my own livestock and make money out of it,” he says.
Golden Boy’s trainer Mzamo Chief Njekani says his charge’s next bout will probably be in February against an opponent who has yet to be disclosed.
Boxing awards Nominees
Female Boxer of the Year
Bukiwe Nonina; Leighandre Jegels; Sharoddene Fortuin
Male Boxer of the Year
Simphiwe Khonco; Xolisani Ndongeni; Zolani Tete
Female Fight of the Year
Noni Tenge vs Szilvia Szabados; Gabisile Tshabalala vs Unathi Myekeni; Fortuin vs Simone da Silva
Male Fight of the Year
Khonco vs Hekkie Budler; Azinga Fuzile vs Macbute Sinyabi; Johnny Muller vs Kevin Lerena
Female Prospect of the Year
Nthabiseng Didi; Hedda Wolmarans; Melissa Miller
Male Prospect of the Year
Brandon Thysse; Fuzile; Thulani Mbenge
Matchmaker of the Year
Luyanda Kana; Reuben Rasodi
Knockout of the Year
Lerato Dlamini vs Babalo Ncakeni; Zolani Tete vs Paul Butler; Lerena vs Muller
Female official of the Year
Siya Vabaza; Phumeza Zinakile; Sylvia Mokaila
Most Promising Official of the Year
Namhla Tyuluba; Mandisi Mkile; Sthembele Tom
Trainer of the Year
Mzamo Njekane; Colin Nathan; Keith Rass
Manager of the Year
Mlandeli Tengimfene; Luyanda Sovasi; Bernie Pailman
Promoter of the Year
Xaba Promotions; Showtime Promotions; Real Steel Promotions
Most Promising Promoter
Dream Team Promotions; Supreme Boxing Promotions; Rumble Africa Promotions
