Joe Gumede, who was known as the “Green Cobra” and fought from 1969 to 1980 winning the South African bantamweight and featherweight titles, was one of the better South African champions and one of the select few to win two South African titles.
Among the other South African fighters who have won more than one national title are Willie Toweel (who won four titles), Watty Austin, Jack Everhardt, Jack Lalor, Charlie Els, Ernie Eustace, Arnold Taylor, Thulani “Sugarboy” Malinga, Anthony Morodi, Enoch Nhlapo, Andries Steyn, and Graham van der Walt (who captured three titles).
Over the years there have also been several fighters who have claimed two South African titles, and Gumede was one of the better ones.
Gumede, who was born in Sophiatown on 18 October 1945, made his pro debut on17 May 1969 with a four-round points win over Ben Lehoko in Sharpeville.
He remained unbeaten in his next 12 fights and among them was a six-round draw against Alfred Buqwana, who would go on to become one of South Africa’s top referees.
He suffered his first loss 12 March 1971 against Rafty Mngadi, who outpointed over six rounds in Pretoria.
WINS FIRST SOUTH AFRICAN TITLE
However, putting this loss behind him he beat Anthony Sithole (32-6-5) on a ninth-round technical knockout at the Jabulani Amphitheatre in Soweto on 5 June 1971 to win the South African bantamweight title.
He won his next five fights in style with a points win over the capable Bashew Sibaca, who would go on to a successful career and also win the South African featherweight title.
In a return bout with Sithole he would retain the South Africa title on a ninth-round stoppage.
On 3 June 1972 he claimed his second South African title when he outpointed Solomon Rafikeng over 12 rounds at the Jabulani Amphitheatre in Soweto.
On 30 September of the same year, he lost the South African bantamweight title on the scales when he came in overweight against Rafty Mngadi, even though he won on a ninth-round knockout.
However, he regained the title on 3 March 1973 with a 12th-round knockout win over John Mkhize, and made successful defences against Bashew Sibaca and Jacob Jobe.
DISASTER IN MEXICO
However, 1974 was a disaster for Gumede. He was stopped twice in Mexico and was stripped of his two titles and had his licence withdrawn by the South African Boxing Board of Control, for travelling to Mexico without permission.
He lost to Venice Borkosor (ko 10), a former world flyweight champion, and Max Sanchez (ko 8).
After his reinstatement, he returned to action in 1976. He beat Mngadi, Guy Ratazayo, Johannes Sithebe and Joseph Tsotetsi, but in 1977 he lost to Victor Mpiyakhe and Joseph Tsotetsi.
Without his titles and no title fights in the offing, Gumede’s heart was not in the game, and he had only two fights in 1978 and 1979.
ONLY A SHELL OF THE GREAT FIGHTER
In 1980, only a shell of the former talented young fighter, Gumede beat Monabisi Kana and Lazarus Mofokeng, but lost to Joshua Nhlapo and Nkosana Moss.
He then won against Monwabisi Kana (ko 4) and Lazarus Mofokeng (tko 2) before being knocked out in the fifth round by Joshua Nhlapo on 20 September 1980 to finish with a record of 42-9-4; 15.
He lost six of his last 11 fights after an illustrious career and would have been a strong contender to win one of the organisation world titles on offer today.
There is no doubt that the Mexican disaster and stripping of his titles affected Gumede’s mental approach, as he never performed at the same level afterwards.