Deon Potgieter Boxing
Following a self-imposed prison sentence, Dingaan Thobela is off to war. He challenges Cornelius Carr for the World Boxing Federation’s (WBF) world middleweight title in London on Sunday.
And, as the bout is being staged as part of the centenary celebrations of the Anglo-Boer South African War, Thobela can expect to be facing a hostile crowd. This time South Africa meets Britain on the latter’s territory. Carr is also keen on extracting a form of revenge after England’s defeat last Sunday at the hands of the Springboks in Paris.
Thobela, who is renowned for not being the most disciplined when it comes to training, had himself incarcerated at the Barberton prison and was forced to go through his paces by trainer Elias Shabalala. He shed a phenomenal 16kg during a three-week period. “That could be a danger for Thobela,” says Boxing World magazine editor Bert Blewett. “Losing so much weight in a short period of time can weaken a fighter considerably.”
“After my last fight,” says Thobela. “I promised my fans that I would be back and that I will come in at the right weight.”
Thobela came in 10kg more than the weight limit in his International Boxing Organisation welterweight world title fight in March.
Although he easily won the ludicrous mismatch against Adrian Daneff, a real welterweight, he was not awarded the title. “I’m now in the best condition of my life,” says Thobela, a former two-time world lightweight champion, “and will bring the title back for all my supporters.”
A task perhaps easier said than done. Many local pundits feel that he has bitten off more than he can chew by climbing into the ring with a fighter of Carr’s calibre. Adding to the concern is that Thobela has never fought as a middleweight.
“Thobela needs to make an impression early on,” says Blewett. “If he hasn’t hurt Carr by the middle rounds, he could end up in trouble. What has impressed me in his last two bouts, however, is the sharpness of his punches, he still has the hand- speed.”
An added advantage for Thobela is that Carr is not a big puncher, although 16 of his 31 victories have ended inside the distance. Thobela has never received a solid punch from a real middleweight though, so he could still be in for a surprise.
“I’ve been sparring with Dingaan,” says three-time super-middleweight world champion Sugarboy Malinga, “and he’s got a lot of power. He’s also very focused. He really wants to win this one.”
“Dingaan always was a super puncher,” says two-time junior-lightweight world champion Brian Mitchell. “He may struggle a bit being in against a big guy, but he’s got a puncher’s chance. He does seem to tire in the late rounds, so it would be better if he could catch Carr early on.”
Carr previously went 12 rounds against Steve Collins in an attempt to win the latter’s World Boxing Organisation super- middleweight world title and was narrowly beaten on points. His title win against Steve Foster in February was also a 12- rounder.
Unless Thobela is able to keep up a high work rate, something he was not noted for even in his prime eight years ago, the likeable “Rose of Soweto” may wither, rather than weather the storm.
Although the WBF doesn’t carry the status of some of the other world sanctioning bodies, Carr is proud of being a champion and intends using Thobela as a stepping stone to bigger fights. Thobela in turn hopes a victory over Carr will reopen the doors to a sensational career he’s adamant is far from over.
“If Thobela can’t get past Carr, he should hang up his gloves,” says Blewett .”The proof is in the pudding,” says Mitchell. “Let’s hope Thobela carries the South African flag high.”
The charismatic Thobela finds himself at a crossroads. After years of promises, it’s time for him to deliver, once and for all. He has a record of 38 wins, six losses and two draws with 25 knockouts. Despite many disappointments along the way, his fans have stuck by him. He owes it to them to win the title, or to leave the game while his legacy is still intact.
The fight will be screened live on Sunday at 10pm on SABC1
ENDS
— End —