Sad and happy moments for Team Dida
The Rodrigues brothers' winning streak came to an end at the Sweet Science for the Ghetto Greatness boxing tournament in the Kagiso Memorial and Recreational Centre on 28 July.
It was almost a despondent affair for boxing coach Dida Dipheko from Team Dida Boxing Promotions when his two out of four boxers were knocked out for the first time.
The undefeated winning streak for the Rodrigues brothers, Frank and Fernando was broken at Sweet Science for the Ghetto Greatness boxing tournament which was staged at the Kagiso Memorial and Recreational Centre in Kagiso on 28 July.
Fernando suffered a technical knockout (TKO) loss in the hands of Walter Dlamini in the fifth round of a fight scheduled for six rounds. Although his eyebrow was busted open by Walter in the early rounds of the fight, Fernando kept coming back hard up until he received a powerful punch from Walter which saw him land on the floor resulting in the referee to discontinue the fight.
Frank lost in the first round against Alex Kubungu from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who knocked him out after throwing fast punches from the get-go which left Frank dazed after a minute and eight seconds.
These losses were unexpected and hurtful to coach Dida. “About the loses, it happens in boxing, its still early ages for Fernando and Frank, they will improve – they will return back to the drawing board and they will come back strong,” Dida reflected on the loses.
The day was saved by two boxers from Team Dida’s camp Linda Ntshingila and Malcolm Klaasen, who both won by TKO victories.
Linda fought in the Junior Middle Weight rank against Welcome Malumbu from the DRC. It looked as if it was going to be a tough fight; however, Linda wrapped things up in the second round against his opponent.
The much-anticipated main bout between Innocent Mantengu and champion Thato Bonokoane did not take place as Innocent did not pitch on the match day – giving Thato a walkover victory. “The fight did not happen because the opponent pulled out in the last minute and we believe he was fearful,” Dida explained.
The main supporting bout between Malcolm and Wilson Masamba from Malawi became the main bout. Malcolm, the renowned international acclaimed boxer, finished his opponent in the second round in the International Light Weight division which was scheduled for eight rounds.
In an interview with Malcolm, he said he predicted the victory. “When I was training for the fight, I saw how my opponent was in his sparring, I just predicted I was going to win by stoppage,” he said.
“Malcolm the stone is back, he still has about six more good fights and I still believe he can still be a world champion again,” Dida predicted.
Other fights in the tournament were for the Light Heavy Weight between Karabo Mokupi (winner) and Johannes Lesiba; Junior Middle Weight between Simon Dladla (winner) and Wayne Lottering.
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