{"id":294604,"date":"2025-11-19T08:34:53","date_gmt":"2025-11-19T06:34:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/young-boxing-warrior-takes-his-exploits-to-the-big-leagues\/"},"modified":"2025-11-21T14:11:43","modified_gmt":"2025-11-21T12:11:43","slug":"young-boxing-warrior-takes-his-exploits-to-the-big-leagues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/young-boxing-warrior-takes-his-exploits-to-the-big-leagues\/","title":{"rendered":"Young boxing warrior takes his exploits to the big leagues"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

BLOEMFONTEIN <\/strong>\u2013 Talented local boxer Lehlohonolo Motsi, with an impressive amateur record and form, has transitioned to the professional ranks by obtaining a licence from Boxing South Africa (BSA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Motsi (20) has established an amateur fight record cited as 37 fights \u2212 33 wins and four losses \u2212 since starting out in 2019. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Motsi at the gym. PHOTO: Teboho Setena<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His transition to the big league this year was inspired by a hunger for success. Making his professional debut on 25 October, against a novice, David Champati, Motsi lost narrowly on points fighting in the super bantamweight division against the opponent from Gauteng. They met in a tournament in Upington in the Northern Cape. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His longtime manager-cum-trainer David “Treto” Molatlhoe, of the Devil’s Boxing stable, maintains a draw would have been a fair result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It was a very close contest, and difficult for judges to decide the winner. My boxer showcased his skills to the best of his ability against a somewhat experienced opponent. A draw would be fair,” said Molatlhoe. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is however water under the bridge; Motsi is looking toward the future and upcoming contests in the big challenge to gain recognition and make a name for himself.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Battered from the sparring session, I sought revenge and started training actively. That inspired my passion for the sport
\u2212 Lehlohonolo Motsi<\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Molatlhoe said Motsi’s sterling performances fuelled the decision to turn professional. He surprised tough and far more experienced opponents with his tenacity in the lower ranks. These opponents include Sinclair Ness, who narrowly won on points. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Motsi is one of 15 athletes mentored at the Devil’s Boxing club, which uses the Bochabela Boxing Arena’s facilities. He joined the sport by default.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I went to training with my current stable mate Khumo Litsili for sparring, and he punished me during the session because he’s active and knowledgeable. Battered from the sparring session, I sought revenge and started training actively. That inspired my passion for the sport,” says Motsi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This young boxer is affectionately known as “Hands of Stone” \u2212 a nickname originally given to Panamanian boxer Roberto Dur\u00e1n due to his fierce and powerful punches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“He resembles Dur\u00e1n in fighting style, charging forward like a brave warrior,” Molatlhoe explains.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Motsi boasts a collection of medals. This includes provincial gold, and silver and bronze earned nationally. In 2023, and earlier this year, he claimed bronze and silver in the South African National Boxing Organisation (Sanabo) and the Free State Boxing Organisation (FSBO) Youth Championship tournaments.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Motsi says he has the dream to one day compete at the Olympic Games, but he believes such a chance cannot be realised, owing to lack of support for boxing in South Africa. The country last featured at the London 2012 Olympics, with two boxers. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inactivity of amateur boxing, hamstrung by lack of support, has limited several boxers in the Free State from reaching their full potential.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Motsi admires American boxer Teofimo Lopez, who has held multiple world championships in two weight classes, including the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and the Ring junior welterweight titles.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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\"Hands of Stone\" Motsi, with trainer-cum-manager David \r\nMolatlhoe of the Devil's Boxing Club. 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