A hero’s welcome awaits Siphamandla Damesi of the Overstrand Whale Boxing Club (OWBC) when he returns from the Brics Sports Games in Russia where he won his first international fight.
He managed to end the bout against Daniil Titko, an experienced boxer from Belarus, as the victor. This victory, said OWBC coach Mzi Damesi, made him extremely proud as Siphamandla’s opponent is a strong fighter.
“Siphamandla proved his skill and got a lot of hits in,” he said. “He showed he can excel without me in the corner to support him and that makes me proud. Unfortunately, Siphamandla lost his second fight the following day.”
Mzi and several OWBC boxers will be at Cape Town International Airport to welcome Siphamandla when he returns from Russia on Wednesday 26 June.
The young four-time South African national champion was one of 10 boxers from the country, the only one from the Western Cape, selected to represent South Africa at this international tournament, held in Kazan, Russia from 12-23 June.
Siphamandla’s participation in the international event, said Mzi, was a dream come true. “Since I started the club it was always my dream and vision that one of my boxers would some day represent us internationally.”
For now, Mzi is kept busy training Sihle Mjongile and Simamkele Damesi, Siphamandla’s younger brother, who will compete in the national tournament held from 2-6 July in Durban.
“Thank you to EMS Foundation and our sponsors who have helped to make all of this possible,” said a grateful Mzi.
