Nick Durandt boasted a stellar roster of fighters and had also spent time in training with international superstars .
Accomplished boxing trainer Nick Durandt died in a motorcycle accident on Friday near Clarens, Free State according to several reports.
Although he had never boxed himself, Durandt had a sparkling career as a boxing coach and “produced 95 South African champions in all 17 weight divisions, 38 world champions and 27 international champions through the WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO, WBF and IBO organisations”, according to SuperSport.
Boxers such as Isaac Hlatshwayo, Phillip “The Timebomb” Ndou, Hawk Makepula, Cassius Baloyi, Zolani Tete and Silence Mabuza trained, and won titles, under Durandt’s tutelage.
The coach boasted a stellar roster of fighters and had also spent time in training with international superstars such as Oscar de la Hoya, Evander Holyfield and Roy Jones Jr. He also helped train US boxer Hasim Rahman who knocked out three-time world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis at Carnival City on April 22 2001.
He announced his retirement in May last year, but continued to run several gyms in Johannesburg.