The camp of SA mini-flyweight champion Thinumzi Gqola defended his performance in his title defence against Athanani Mxoli at the Orient Theatre in KuGompo City at the weekend.
Gqola retained his belt via lopsided scores of 119-111, 118-110 and 116-112 in a forgettable bout that never rose to any heights.
Award-winning Duncan Village boxing trainer Mzamo “Chief” Njekanye has called all featherweight boxers in the country to face his rising star, Amila “Auditor General” Gongqa, after he produced another dazzling performance at the weekend.
The 18-year-old southpaw marked his second professional bout with a brilliant, brutal display when he destroyed experienced Sange Ngoza in two rounds at the Orient Theatre in KuGompo City on Saturday night.
Making a ring return just two months after taking less than three minutes to knock out Zoyiso Sandi in April, Gongqa was expected to be tested by the Mthatha opponent who had fought the best in the division, including reigning SA champion Lindelani Sibisi.
But Gongqa was spitting fire and could have ended the fight in the first round when he dropped Ngoza hard, who only survived due to referee Lulama Mtya admonishing the teen for hitting behind the head.
My word, he hits like a mule, and I have never been hit like that.
Mtya failed to observe that some of Gongqa’s punches hit the back of the head due to Ngoza lowering his head.
With Gongqa in a mean mood, Ngoza buckled under the onslaught that came his way.
A barrage of blows, including sickening body attacks, took Ngoza’s legs away, wobbling him and forcing Mtya to stop the one-sided slaughter.
The precision, punch selection and killer instinct displayed by Gongqa left some wondering if there is any featherweight boxer capable of standing up against him, with even Ngoza doubting if there is any.
“My word, he hits like a mule, and I have never been hit like that,” Ngoza said after the fight.
Gongqa had already set tongues wagging with his incredible run in the amateur ranks, where he was forced to compete at a higher level than his age.
Expected to form the core of the SA team after his heroics at the World Youth Amateur championships in Montenegro, Njekanye instead encouraged Gongqa to turn professional.
Njekanye wanted to take Gongqa straight to a title shot in his professional debut but was hindered by Boxing SA rules which call for a boxer to fight a number of bouts and be rated before challenging for a title.
However, judging by the manner in which he destroyed Ngoza, there is no denying that the teen is destined for stardom.
“Had it been my wishes, the boy would have fought for the title in his first fight, but bureaucratic red tape stopped us,” Njekanye said.
“But even those who doubted him must be eating humble pie.
“This boy is the future world champion, and I encourage people to get on the bandwagon now and enjoy the ride towards world honours.”
With a daring promoter, Xaba Promotions, behind him, Gongqa’s ascendancy to the boxing summit is expected to be swift owing to XP’s penchant to throw its boxers in at the deep end.
While Gongqa left the tournament as a talking point, the main bout between Thinumzi Gqola and Athanani Mxoli for the SA mini-flyweight title failed to live up to its Duncan Village derby expectations.
For much of the rounds, the two boxers posed, aimed and waited with no sustained action besides swings and misses.
Mxoli often slipped to clinches every time Gqola attacked, drawing numerous warnings to no avail.
All the judges had Gqola retaining his title by scores of 119-111-118-110 and 116-112 in a forgettable title bout.
Other results: Lwando Mgabi W6 Thabang Mofulo (jnr feather) Sinalo Jonas W6 Thimna Lingani (jnr bantam); Luphiwo Thwayinga TKO4 Siphosethu Mhlahlo (jnr bantam); Liyema Ndlela TKO1 Khosinko Tubelo (jnr welter); Indiphile Ntshangase W4 Alulutho Zozi (minifly); Simpiwe Sinyabi jnr W4 Athabile Ngaliphi (catch); Alive Ntozakhe TKO4 Kholisile Besi (jnr feather).
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Dubbed the “Duncan Village Derby” as it featured boxers from the shack-littered township, the clash never came close to emulating other boxing derbies, as neither boxer displayed sustained action.
Instead, they posed, waited and threw single shots which often missed in contrast to bouts in the division which often involve hand speed, precision, punch selection and timing.
For his part, Gqola tried to make the fight as he initiated action and threw more punches, but his eagerness was thwarted by Mxoli, who constantly held drawing numerous warnings from the referee.
However, he got away with it, as he was not docked any points for excessive holding.
Thinumzi Gqola and Athanathi Mxoli produced one of the poorest SA title bouts before Gqola prevailed by a unanimous decision to retain his mini-flyweight belt at Orient Theatre in KuGompo City on Friday night.
The fight was dominated by swings, misses and excessive holding, though the main culprit was Mxoli, who should thank referee Allen Matakane for not docking him points despite numerous warnings.
The two boxers posed and waited in many of the rounds with all the technique which often encompasses a mini-flyweight bout, such as hand speed, jabs, timing and reflexes, missing.
After the tedious 12 rounds all the judges credited Gqola for trying to make the fight and taking the initiative by giving him lopsided scores of 119-111, 118-110 and 116-112.
The event was again stolen by fast-rising and immensely talented Duncan Village prodigy Amila “Auditor General” Gongqa, who cemented his status as possibly the brightest prospect in SA boxing.
The 18-year-old, who only made his professional debut in April, was in his brilliant form when he dropped experienced Sange Ngoza in the first round before blasting him away in the second of their featherweight clash.
Watching Gongqa displaying his craft was a novelty, with even Ngoza admitting the teen was destined for stardom.
“My word, he hits like a mule, and I doubt any featherweight will be able to handle him,” Ngoza said.
Another disappointing bout was when former SA junior bantamweight champion Lwando Mgabi laboured to a unanimous points decision victory over hapless Thabang Mofula in his first fight in the junior featherweight division.
Other results: Sinalo Jonas W 6 Thimna Lingani (jnr bantam); Luphiwo Thwayinga TKO4 Siphosethu Mhlahlo (jnr bantam); Liyema Ndlela TKO1 Khosinko Tubelo (jnr welter); Indiphile Ntshangase W4 Alulutho Zozi (minifly); Simpiwe Sinyabi jnr W4 Athabile Ngaliphi (catch); Alive Ntozakhe TKO 4 Kholisile Besi (jnr feather).
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Gqola’s trainer, Ncedo Cecane, expressed disappointment at Mxoli’s tame challenge after his prefight bravado when he promised to win by a stoppage.
“He never fought like a challenger hungry for a title but held on for dear life, and I feel he should have been docked points for the transgression,” he said.
Cecane admitted he was surprised by Mxoli’s cautious approach despite his prefight predictions, which gave him sleepless nights.
“I must be honest, his bold talk before the fight had me worried and I wondered what he would bring to the ring.
“But in the fight he was not there, and I see some people are even blaming Gqola for the fight’s failure to live up to expectations, forgetting that it takes two to tango.
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Thinumzi Gqola’s premedical for his SA mini-flyweight title defence at Gompo Hall on Tuesday was dominated by the debate about his decision to keep camping in Johannesburg when he will fight on the coast.
Gqola will risk his crown against Athanani Mxoli in the Duncan Village derby at the Orient Theatre in KuGompo City on Friday.
The Xaba Promotion-organised show marks the second time Gqola fights under the promotion after beating Mthokozisi Ngxaka in their Boxing SA-ordered rematch at the same venue in December.
Since becoming a champion Gqola, from the Toilet City section in Duncan Village, has been camping in Johannesburg in a move which drew questions on the wisdom of preparing in a high-altitude area when he will be fighting at the coast.
And when asked about the strategy, he was evasive, saying only that all the questions would be answered at the Orient Theatre on Friday.
“After Friday, no-one will ask me that question,” he said.
But his trainer, Ncedo Cecane, a former SA flyweight champion, was more forthright, saying camping in a high-altitude area was more adequate for a boxer who would be fighting in the coastal environment.
“It is the other way round because when a boxer camps in a coastal area, he is adversely affected when fighting in the high altitude,” he said.
“So camping in Johannesburg will work in our favour on Friday.”
Cecane, who kept intimidating Mxoli during the premedical proceedings, imploring him to repeat the bravado he showed in podcasts about the fight, has loads of experience guiding boxers for the SA mini-flyweight belt, having trained former champion Xolisa Magusha before.
Interestingly, Magusha was also ordered by the BSA to grant a rematch to an opponent he controversially beat.
The opponent is recently anointed WBC mini-flyweight champion Siyakholwa Kuse, who ended up facing Sibusiso Bandla after inheriting the rematch order following his win over Magusha.
While Gqola ensured no repeat of the Magusha conundrum after beating Ngxaka, Mxoli has vowed to unseat him despite the odds stacked against him.
Both boxers underlined their readiness for the fight when they fell within the stipulated 50kg limit, with Mxoli’s 47.75kg just five grams over Gqola’s weight.
Both are expected to have no problem falling within the 47.63 limit in Thursday’s final weigh-in.
With the mini-flyweight division dominated by KuGompo City boxers who have just a handful of fights, Mxoli, who is rated top, does not understand his underdog status against Gqola when they are almost the same age.
At 26, Gqola is Mxoli’s senior by a year, with both boxers having a similar build with no physical advantages.
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“We tried to make the fight, but we had no willing partner. The 119-111 score was the true reflection of the fight.”
Cecane confirmed that Gqola’s performance deteriorated to the level of Mxoli’s but shot down concern that he was not ready for international forays as yet.
“Listen, this title has already served as a stepping stone towards world title conquests if past champions are anything to go by.”
Gqola’s predecessor, Siyakholwa Kuse, has already made history by becoming the first-ever boxer from the Eastern Cape to win a WBC belt following his victory over Filipino Melvin Jerusalem in May.
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Athanani Mxoli might be virtually unknown in boxing circles, with some even questioning his approval for the SA title, but he is determined to dramatically introduce himself when he challenges Thinumzi Gqola at the Orient Theatre in KuGompo City on Friday.
The battle for the mini-flyweight title to be promoted by Xaba Promotions will pit two Duncan Village boxers against each other in the latest edition of the township derby, with Gqola being the more well-known of the two.
Besides fighting on national television in his last two bouts, beating Mthokozisi Ngxaka twice has raised Gqola’s profile, making him a favourite to retain his belt.
However, that has not bothered Mxoli, who has been chasing Gqola for a while, with their planned fight in December 2024 getting cancelled at the eleventh hour.
“We have been chasing him for a while, and we are glad this fight has finally been made,” Mxoli’s trainer, Dumisa Danisa, said.
“We even submitted three challenges for him to make sure that we corner him to defend against us.”
While Gqola is camping in Johannesburg for a month, Mxoli has also left nothing to chance in preparations for the biggest bout of his career, as he is maintaining a seven-day training regimen without taking a break on Sundays.
He was fine-tuning his technique this past weekend, with no time for interview requests.
“I know people might think we are struggling with weight for training this much, but there is no such thing; it is just [that] we want to make sure we are in the best shape for this opportunity.”
Mxoli has vaulted to the top spot in SA ratings despite his five-fight record, which shows three wins, a loss and a draw.
He still disputes the lone loss to Nhlakanipho Kunene in KwaZulu-Natal, while his November 2024 draw in a rematch against Qhamani Mhlana, who now holds the provincial title, was rather unfortunate, as he appeared to repeat the win he had scored 11 months earlier.
Danisa still regrets taking the rematch which was offered with three weeks’ notice.
“We had not fought for over a year, so in fear of being removed from the ratings, we decided to take the rematch even though we did not get enough time to prepare.
“But I still believe we deserved the win, not the draw.
“When Gqola was reluctant to fight us, we had already planned to challenge Mhlana for the provincial title to settle that controversial draw, but thank God we now have a bigger fish to fry.”
Mxoli is a product of the East London Youth Boxing Club, which is one of the oldest boxing gymnasiums in Duncan Village, having been opened in 1987 by the late Tony Batala.
Batala was held in high regard in the shack-littered township as the boxing hope to dethrone then SA junior featherweight champion Vuyani Bungu before Bungu won the IBF title in 1994.
Danisa said Mxoli would finally end the gymnasium’s drought of never producing an SA champion by not only dethroning Gqola but also knocking him out.
“He will have to save himself by falling on his face,” he said.
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Other boxers who won world titles from the divisions include Nkosinathi “Mabere” Joyi, who used the SA belt as a platform towards his IBF title conquest, while Zolani Petelo, who also won the IBF trinket, was the exception.
“Gqola is also in line to follow suit and carve his own international career using the title, and he has all the tools to do so,” Cecane said.
The win was Gqola’s seventh, marking his second defence since dethroning Mthokozisi Ngxaka in August 2025 in a fight which Boxing SA ordered a rematch on after the Ngxaka camp filed a protest.
Gqola repeated the feat in December to mark his first title defence.
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The last time KuGompo City trainer Ncedo Cecane was involved in a boxing match, he left the Orient Theatre in triumph after guiding the unheralded Ardy Katompa to a stunning win over Siyabulela Hem in April.
Having cemented his status as one of the best development trainers, Cecane’s sterling work saw him being recruited to head the WBC gymnasium in Johannesburg.
Within a short period, the quality of his work was evident when he led the relatively unknown Congolese Katompa to the biggest fight of his career against Hem, the SA junior featherweight champion, though his belt was not at stake.
Katompa not only dealt Hem a systematic beating but also inflicted his first knockout loss when he forced him to quit at the end of the ninth round, silencing fans in the packed venue who had come to watch Azinga Fuzile in action against Asanda Gingqi.
But Cecane, a former national flyweight champion, was not surprised by the victory, having previously guided boxers such as Landile Ngxeke to a SA title triumph against heavy odds.
“All I want from a boxer is work ethic and level-headedness, and that is what I got from Katompa,” he said.
And that is what he is also getting from his lone SA champion, Thinumzi Gqola, as he prepares for the second defence of his mini-flyweight belt against Athanani Mxoli on June 26 at the venue where Katompo sealed his victory.
Gqola, from the Duncan Village section of Toilet City, has upped and moved to camp in Johannesburg for a month.
Cecane said he was satisfied with the work his charge was putting in at camp, where there are no distractions.
“This environment is perfect in many respects because back home boxers tend to lose focus as they are constantly mobbed by their fans and [there are] other distractions.
“Here it is nothing but training, rest and more training, so much that all my KuGompo City boxers are here to benefit from top-notch camp and sparring sessions.”
Gqola, who is the pride of Toilet City, whose residents turn up to his fights in numbers, was last in action in December when he beat Mthokozisi Ngxaka in a rematch ordered by Boxing SA.
Ngxaka had filed a protest after his title loss in August, and BSA surprisingly sided with him, but Gqola proved that his win was no fluke when he outsmarted his adversary for the second time.
The stocky boxer, whose fleet-footed style defies his muscular build, has since emerged as one of the worthy SA champions and will enter the Duncan Village derby clash against Mxoli as a huge favourite.
However, fight promoter Ayanda Matiti of Xaba Promotions reminded fans of the dynamics of a derby, where form and odds often fly out the window.
“I see a hotly contested bout between these two and do not be surprised if we are treated to an upset,” he said.
Mxoli has a novice fight record of three wins, a draw and a loss compared to Gqola, who boasts six victories and two losses.
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