Today in history: The Rose of Soweto is born
Thobela turned professional in 1986 and won the WBO Lightweight title in 1990 by beating Mauricio Aceves.
Dingaan Bongani The Rose of Soweto Thobela was born at Baragwanath Hospital on 24 September 1966.
His mother gave him the name Bongani, but his paternal grandmother decided he should have a different name since he had a half-brother from his father’s side with the same name.
Thobela later decided to keep Bongani as his middle name, as his parents separated soon after he was born.
Thobela turned professional in 1986 and won the WBO Lightweight Title in 1990 after beating Mauricio Aceves.
After defending the belt three times, he relinquished the title and then challenged WBA Lightweight titleholder, Tony Lopez in 1993, but lost on a hotly disputed decision.
Thobela later moved up significantly in weight class, and in the twilight of his career, he took on WBC Super Middleweight titleholder Glenn Catley in 2000, winning the belt via a 12th-round KO in only his second fight at the higher weight limit.
Information sourced from: South African History Online.
