Where have the world champions gone?

South African boxing has an illustrious history since Willie Smith became the first world champion after he won the British version of the world bantamweight title when he outpointed Teddy Baldock “The Pride of Poplar” over 15 rounds at the Royal Albert Hall in Kensington, London on 6 October 1927.

Another claimant to the world bantamweight title at the time was Charley Rosenberg, who forfeited the title on the scales.

This much-disputed title would later be claimed by Bushy Graham in May 1928.

Looking back over the years South Africa has had some outstanding fighters who have won versions of world titles except for Vic Toweel, who won the undisputed universal world bantamweight title on 31 May 1950 at the Wembley Stadium in Johannesburg.

There were only eight world champions in eight divisions at the time, so this was an outstanding victory for Toweel, who was only having his 14th fight against the 116-fight champion.

Following on from Toweel was Arnold Taylor who captured the WBA bantamweight title on 3 November 1973 with a dramatic 14th round knockout win over Romeo Anaya when the only other world organisation at the time was the WBC.

Peter Mathebula became the first black South African fighter to win a world title when he travelled to Los Angeles and outscored Korean Tae Shik Kim in a major upset, to win the WBA flyweight title.

CURRENT SA WORLD CHAMPIONS

Sivenathi Nontshinga from the Eastern Cape travelled all the way to Mexico and, in a major upset, outpointed the local favourite Hector Flores Calixto to win the vacant IBF light flyweight belt to become the only South African fighter to hold one of the major organisation belts.

OTHER ORGANISATION CHAMPIONS

Three other South African fighters, Thatho Bonokoane (WBF), Gcina Makhoba (WBF), and Ayanda Ndulani (IBO) hold belts from one of the minor organisations.

Thatho Bonokoane won the World Boxing Federation junior featherweight belt on 9 October when he scored a 12-round majority points decision over Diego Alberto Ruiz from Argentina.

On 3 December Gcina Makhoba claimed the World Boxing Federation junior bantamweight belt with a points win over Filipino, Robert Paredero.

The third South Africa fighter to hold one of the minor organisation belts is Ayanda Ndulani, who holds the IBO minimumweight belt and made his last defence in 2021 with a points victory over Siphmandla Baleni.

CLAIMANTS TO MAJOR ORGANISATION BELTS

Among the other South African fighters who have claimed one of the major organisation championship belts are Gerrie Coetzee (WBA heavyweight), Piet Crous (WBA junior heavyweight), Welcome Ncita (IBF junior featherweight), Dingaan Thobela (WBO lightweight, WBA lightweight, WBC super-middleweight), Brian Mitchell (WBA junior lightweight, IBF junior lightweight), Jacob Matlala (WBO flyweight, WBO junior flyweight), Vuyani Bungu (IBF junior featherweight), Mbulelo Botile (IBF bantamweight, IBF featherweight), Phillip Holiday (IBF lightweight), Francois Botha IBF heavyweight, but subsequently stripped), Thulani Sugarboy Malinga (WBC super-middleweight twice), Zolani Petelo (IBF flyweight), Lehlohonolo Ledwaba (IBF junior featherweight), Masibulela Makepula (WBO junior flyweight), Corrie Sanders (WBO heavyweight ), Cassius Baloyi (IBF junior lightweight ), Malcolm Klassen (IBF junior lightweight ), Lovemore Ndou (IBF junior welterweight ), Mzonke Fana IBF junior lightweight ), Isaac Hlatshwayo (IBF welterweight ), Moruti Mthalane (IBF flyweight ), Nkosinathi Joyi (IBF mini flyweight ), Jeffrey Mathebula (IBF junior featherweight ), Simphiwe Vetyeka (WBA featherweight ), Hekkie Budler (WBA minimumweight ), Zolani Tete (WBO bantamweight ), DeeJay Kriel (IBF minimumweight ), and Sivenathi Nontshinga (IBF light flyweight ).

According to my records 88 South African fighters have held one or other of the organisation titles since Willie Smith in 1927.