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Mbilase calls quits on boxing career

QUITTING: FORMER South African featherweight champion Manelisi Mbilase has quit boxing citing family problems.

The boxer’s shock announcement came soon after he was sent packing by promoter Butityi Konki’s BK Sports.

Mbilase, who lost his crown during a re-match against Thando Vukuza last July, announced he had quit the sport in an SMS sent to former International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior-featherweight champion and trainer Vuyani Bungu, on Wednesday.

“I have quit boxing following the advice of my family. I had problems which started after I lost my title to Vukuza last year. BK offered me three fights but I couldn’t take them because of family problems. They gave me another chance recently but the problems couldn’t go away,” said Mbilase.

Though he refused to say why his family advised him to quit, it’s clear that financial problems had prompted the decision, as Mbilase lost out big-time after absconding from training late last year. Konki stopped paying his R10000 a month salary after Mbilase refused to fight in three bouts last year.

But Konki gave him another chance three weeks ago, hoping that Mbilase would come to his senses and return to training. But Mbilase again failed to pitch, that led to the BK Sports boss releasing Mbilase from his contract.

“I gave Mbilase an opportunity to fight on three occasions but he kept on saying he was not ready. I then stopped paying his monthly salary when he absconded from training towards the end of last year,” said Konki.

Mbilase was contracted to BK Sports from July last year and his deal was set to expire on January 1, 2012.

Bungu, who trained Mbilase, said: “ I think Mbilase has a big problem but he does not want to tell anyone about it. BK gave him three chances to fight last year but he told him that he was not ready and he now tells me that his family has told him to quit boxing.”

Popularly known as ‘Leli’ in boxing circles, Mbilase is the father of two children – nine and 10 months – from two different women.

Mbilase’s professional record reads 10 wins (two knockouts) and four losses.

Meanwhile, Konki has confirmed that former South African and World Boxing Union super-featherweight champion, Phillip Ndou has bolted out of his stable to rejoin his former trainer, Nick Durandt.

“I can confirm that Phillip is no longer part of our stable and has rejoined Durandt. I have since released him from his contractual obligations,” said Konki.

Ndou, who was earning R20000 monthly with Konki, signed a contract which was set to expire in April 2012.

“Normally, I don’t take boxers back once they leave me, but that’s not the case with Phillip because he is more like family to me,” said Durandt.

Ndou was Durandt’s best man when the controversial trainer got married 10 years ago and the trainer was also the boxer’s best man at his wedding two years ago. - By MONWABISI JIMLONGO

Three Pak boxers reached Semi in SAF games

Karachi: Three Pakistani Boxers reached semi final stage in ongoing 11th South Asian Games held at Dhaka Bangladesh.

According to information received from Dhaka Pakistan team Captain Mohammad Waseem beat Dilanka Suresh (Sri lanka) by 7-6 and now he touched semi final.

Nadir Baloch (48kg) and Amir Khan (64kg) they two Boxers were get byes in Technical Draws and both also reached Semi Final.

It means Pakistan three boxers have assured three bronze medals and they will perform for gold and silver medals

PBF offer condolence for Gul Hameed Bhatti

Karachi: Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) President Doda Khan Bhutto, Secretary General Muhammad Akram Khan, Chairman Media Commission and other PBF oofficials express the deepest sorrow and grief over the sad demise of most Senior and Iconic sports Journalist Mr. Gul Hameed Bhatti. The all prays to Allah that may his soul rest in piece and give his family the strength to bear this huge loss.

Mr. Gul Hameed Bhatti 63 was an outstanding journalist, highly respected and thorough gentleman and was an institution. He will always be missed and remembered he currently serve at Jang group English News Paper The News as a Sports editor and he was all time supported to grass rout Sports Specially Boxing.

Pakistan’s all Sports will all time missed Mr. G.H.Bhatti

PBF top officials recommended for Pride of Performance award

KARACHI: The services of top officials of Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) have inspired Sindh Sports Minister, Dr Muhammad Ali Shah to recommend them for Pride of Performance Award.

Dr Muhammad Ali Shah, who is also President of Sindh Olympic Association, while talking exclusively to Xinhua on phone said that he has recommended President Asif Ali Zardari to award President PBF, Doda Khan Bhutto and Secretary General PBF Muhammad Akram Khan for the country’s highest civilian award for their services rendered for the uplift of boxing.

He further stated that he has informed President Zardari about the way PBF organised Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Tournament (SBBIBT) successfully in January 2010.

Paying glowing tributes to the top management of the PBF for holding an international tournament, the Sindh Sports Minister said that all the credit goes to Doda Khan and his team for staging a tournament of international level in which teams from over 20 countries participated with over 200 boxers fighting for the accolades.

Dr Shah pointed that he will meet Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah soon for releasing tournament funds to Pakistan Boxing Federation at the earliest.

He added that Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has already disbursed Rs220 million to the PBF for organising the event.

Pakistan Boxing Federation organised the first-ever Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Tournament (SBBIBT) in January in which teams from 23 countries participated with China claiming the top position.