Molefyane happy SA junior-lightweight title is back in Thembisa

Ditau “Diarora” Molefyane described Katlego “Black Cat” Khanyisa’s weekend win of the SA junior-lightweight title as excellent news for Thembisa.

He said the title belongs to the Ekurhuleni township, home to both the former SA and WBF champion and the newly crowned national title holder.

“That belt was taken away from me in a cruel manner in East London in 1990,” said Molefyane, who lost it by a controversial split-points decision to Sidima Qhina at the Orient Theatre, KuGompo City.

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

Molefyane dropped Qhina twice in rounds two and nine in 1990 but still lost the title he had won a year earlier after defeating Welile Vumsindo in Springs.

Molefyane and Qhina met in KuGompo City for their second match after the Thembisa champion defeated Qhina of Mdantsane on points in Springs.

Ushered to war by the young and perhaps little-known trainer Lucky Mokoena, Khanyisa dethroned Qhina’s home boy, Asanda Ginqgi, by a stoppage in round 10 in KuGompo City last weekend.

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

Abbey “Little Rock” Mnisi from Thembisa – who suffered a controversial split points loss in Mdantsane to Mzi Dintsi for the SA junior-bantamweight title in April 2001 — said: “I am so happy for Katlego. After Jackson Chauke vacated his SA flyweight title because he had won the IBO belt, Thembisa was left with no champ.”

Mnisi – who later in his career won the ABU belt – added: “You know, Khanyisa’s win is so big to us because that belt was taken away from Ditau unfairly in East London.

“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 trains private clients, and Mnisi’s skills earned him Boxing SA’s 2023 Matchmaker of the Year award.

Khanyisa remains undefeated after 12 fights with five knockouts, while 33-year-old Gingqi suffered his first stoppage loss in three defeats, with 16 wins and nine knockouts.

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