Khanyisa’s SA junior-lightweight title win thrills Tembisa boxing legends

Ditau “Diarora” Molefyane says Katlego “Black Cat” Khanyisa’s victory in the SA junior-lightweight title fight has brought the belt back to its rightful home in Tembisa.

Khanyisa stopped Asanda Ginqgi in the 10th round in KuGompo City last weekend to claim the national title, which Molefyane believes belongs to the Ekurhuleni township. Both boxers live in Tembisa, as did Molefyane, a former SA and WBF champion.

“That belt was taken away from me in a cruel manner in East London in 1990,” Molefyane said.

He lost the title to Sidima Qhina by a controversial split-points decision at the Orient Theatre, KuGompo City, despite knocking Qhina down in the second and ninth rounds.

Molefyane had won the championship a year earlier by beating Welile Vumsindo in Springs. His rematch with Qhina took place after he had beaten the boxer from Mdantsane on points in Springs.

Khanyisa, who is 29, was not yet born when Molefyane lost the title.

“I can’t wait for Saturday to meet and commend Katlego for making sure this title returns to where it belongs,” Molefyane said.

Khanyisa was guided to the victory by trainer Lucky Mokoena, who was young and perhaps little known before the fight. He dethroned Qhina’s home-town fighter, Ginqgi, by stoppage in the 10th round.

“I am so proud of what this young man has done,” Molefyane said.

“I missed the fight, but I heard on the news that he won … I was so emotional thinking about how I lost that belt there.

“I can’t wait to see Khanyisa.”

‘The boy stopped all the noise’

Abbey “Little Rock” Mnisi, another boxer from Tembisa, also welcomed Khanyisa’s success. Mnisi suffered a controversial split-points defeat by Mzi Dintsi in Mdantsane in April 2001, when challenging for the SA junior-bantamweight title.

“I am so happy for Katlego. After Jackson Chauke vacated his SA flyweight title because he had won the IBO belt, Tembisa was left with no champ,” Mnisi said.

Mnisi later won the ABU belt and added that Khanyisa’s achievement carried particular significance because of what happened to Molefyane in East London.

“You know, Khanyisa’s win is so big to us because that belt was taken away from Ditau unfairly in East London,” he said.

“I was afraid that if it goes full 12 rounds, he may not get a fair decision. But the boy just made sure there was no noise he stopped Ginqgi.”

“I did not sleep after Khanyisa’s victory … It meant a lot to me.”

Molefyane now trains private clients, while Mnisi’s work in boxing earned him Boxing SA’s 2023 Matchmaker of the Year award.

Khanyisa is unbeaten after 12 fights, including five knockouts. Thirty-three-year-old Ginqgi suffered his first stoppage defeat in his third loss, having recorded 16 wins and nine knockouts.

Khanyisa, who won the IBF Africa title last year, is managed by Colin “Nomakanjani” Nathan.

His success means Tembisa has produced five SA champions: Molefyane, Andrew “Pretty Boy” Matabola, Charles “Prince” Mailula, Jackson “M3” Chauke and Khanyisa.