Linda Ximba
Covid-19 virus has once again floored one of South Africa’s prominent boxing personalities.
Andre Thysse, who was a former national and international champion and later a promising promoter, succumbed to the virus aged 52 on Thursday morning.
His death comes two weeks after the boxing fraternity is still reeling in shock following the passing of former IBF junior featherweight title holder Lehlohonolo “Hands of Stone” Ledwaba.
Ledwaba also died after contracting the virus. In February, KwaZulu-Natal promoter Thulani Magudulela became the first victim of Covid-19.
During a career that ran from 1999 to 2009, Thysse endeared himself to boxing enthusiasts when he captured the Gauteng and SA super middleweight titles.
He unsuccessfully challenged for the International Boxing Organization (IBO) super middleweight title against Brian Magee, the World Boxing Council (WBC) super middleweight title against Markus Beyer, WBC International super middleweight crown against Mikkel Kessler and the WBC Continental Americas super middleweight title against Lucian Bute.
His most famous win came when he dethroned David Starie from England for the Commonwealth crown on a unanimous decision at Carnival City in Gauteng in 2003.
Thysse, who ran a toy import business, ventured into promotion under the Reel Steel banner. His hard work paid off when the company scooped Boxing SA Awards’ newcomer’s gong.
In their 2014 event, tragedy struck when female boxer Phindile Mwelase from KZN died.
His outspokenness landed him in hot water with the boxing regulatory body but enjoyed support from fellow colleagues. He was charged by Boxing SA earlier in the year for contravening the regulator’s Covid-19 regulations‚ which Thysse publicly questioned‚ saying he had only helped a sponsor get access to a tournament.
Fellow promoter Zandile Malinga of Starline Boxing Promotions praised Thysse for voicing their concerns. “He was a principled man who never shied away from getting his point across. He encouraged me to raise the bar for women promoters and was friendly to hang out with.”
Thysse is survived by his wife and three children, amongst them being Brendon who is the current WBA Pan African and IBO All-Africa Super junior middleweight champion.
Image source: African Ring
