Linda Ximba
Newly crowned KwaZulu-Natal junior middleweight champion Phikelelani “The Stinger” Khumalo says he won’t regret quitting football for boxing.
These days being a professional football pays much better than being a boxer because fights hardly come by.
After showing signs of immense promise with Golden Arrows and Maritzburg United in the MultiChoice Diski Challenge, the 24-year-old shocked his family and peers when he announced last year that he was quitting the sport.
He didn’t waste any time, and soon afterwards ventured into boxing.
Speaking to Scrolla.Africa after posting a fifth round technical knockout win over Ngcebo Sibiya in Durban, Khumalo said the transition from football to boxing has been smooth.
“I fell in love with boxing while watching fights on TV with my family. Before playing football, I also played basketball at school. Things were going well for me at the clubs that signed but I decided to follow my heart,” said Khumalo.
The gracefully tall and slender boxer said his family, especially his father Mlindelwa Khumalo, has been supportive.
“My dad even took some days off to accompany me to Johannesburg where I hooked up with seasoned trainer Vusi Mtolo, who is my homeboy from Durban,”
Khumalo’s lanky frame is deceptive; he packs a remarkably powerful punch and possesses quick feet.
“So far so good as in six fights, I have lost just once. I foresee a bright future for me in boxing,” he said with quiet confidence.
“My short term plan is to defend my KZN title then challenge for the national title before focusing on continental and world belts,” said Khumalo.
Mtolo, who has worked with Collin Nathan in producing world champions like Moruti Mthalane and Hekkie Budler, said, “This boy will be the pride of KZN and the country. He possesses incredible skill.”
