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South African boxing legend Dingaan “The Rose of Soweto” Thobela may have passed on, but his performances in the ring will remain etched in people’s memories. Thobela died on Monday night at the age of 57.
Former World Boxing Union welterweight champion Jan Bergman shared some of the fondest memories that made Thobela one of the most celebrated boxers in the country. Bergman, now 53, fought on the undercard of Thobela’s World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight world title rematch against American Tony Lopez in 1993.
This was the fight that gained Thobela national hero status, among the top bouts that the boxer from Chiawelo, Soweto, fought at the height of his career.
READ: RIP ‘The Rose of Soweto’ | Dingaan Thobela was an SA boxing icon
Thobela and Bergman’s friendship started at renowned boxing coach Norman Hlabane’s gym in Johannesburg in the 1990s. The two boxers later became sparring partners. Hlabane, a legendary boxing coach in his own right, was Thobela’s longtime trainer.
Bergman pointed out:
“He captivated boxing enthusiasts with his skills, passion and unwavering dedication. In his heyday, he was arguably the biggest name in boxing and he handled himself well against high-profile fighters. Thobela could box brilliantly, outclass them. He had power as well,” added Bergman, who hails from Toekomsrus on the West Rand.
Adored by late former state president Nelson Mandela, Thobela was one of South Africa’s only two World Boxing Council (WBC) champions.
READ: World title unlocks more opportunities for SA top boxer Nontshinga
22 SEPTEMBER 1990
vs Mauricio Aceves in Texas, US,
WBO lightweight
After he won the crown five months later, Thobela went on to successfully defend it three times.
14 SEPTEMBER 1991
vs Antonio Rivera in the Standard Bank Arena
WBO lightweight
2. Thobela danced with hard-hitting Puerto Rican boxer Rivera for the full 12 rounds to register a unanimous point victory.
In the openings rounds, The Rose had nervous moments when Rivera rocked him with a right punch, but Thobela boxed his way back into a victory, to successfully retain the WBO lightweight belt.
26 JUNE 1993
vs Tony Lopez in Carnival City, Brakpan
WBA lightweight
3. Coming up against an opponent nicknamed Tiger, Thobela boxed his way above expectations and tamed American Tony Lopez with his slick boxing skills as well as won his fair share of rounds when they stood and traded, which was thought to be Lopez’s favoured tactic.
READ: Last throw of the punch for SA Olympic boxing hopefuls
Their titanic clash was Lopez’s first defence of his title against South Africa’s boxing sensation at home in the Arco Arena in Sacramento, California. Lopez had won the title from Joey Gamache in Portland, Maine, four months earlier.
Despite the outcome of the first encounter, Thobela believed he did enough to win the contest and he was a victim of a hometown decision. Thobela took the title from Lopez on a unanimous decision during a rematch.
30 OCTOBER 1993
vs Orzubek Nazarov in Nasrec, Johannesburg
WBA lightweight title
4. Thobela, battling to make the lightweight limit, welcomed a determined Russian prospect, Orzubek Nazarov, for his WBA lightweight first title defence.
READ: What a year, but SA boxing still out for the count
Nazarov’s awkward southpaw stance made it difficult for Thobela to hold on to his belt. In boxing terms, a southpaw stance is where the boxer has the right hand and the right foot forward, leading with right jabs, and following with a left cross right hook. It is the normal stance for a left-handed boxer.
The following year, The Rose lost against Nazarov in a rematch.
1 SEPTEMBER 2000
vs Glenn Catley in Sun City, North West
WBC super middleweight
But, with under a minute to go, Thobela launched a flurry of punches that sent Catley to the canvas, to hand The Rose a knockout win.
14 September 1991
vs Antonio Rivera in Standard Bank Arena, Johannesburg
WBO lightweight
Thobela danced with the hard-hitting Puerto Rican boxer Rivera for the full 12 rounds to register a unanimous point victory. In the openings rounds, The Rose had nervous moments when Rivera rocked him with a right punch, but Thobela boxed his way back into a victory, to successfully retain the WBO lightweight belt.
READ: Promoters’ body wants Boxing SA boss out
26 June 1993
vs Tony Lopez in Carnival City, Brakpan
WBA lightweight
Coming up against an opponent nicknamed Tiger, Thobela boxed his way above expectations and tamed American Tony Lopez.
with his slick boxing skills as well as winning his fair share of rounds when they stood and traded which was thought to be Lopez’s favoured tactic. Their titanic clash Lopez’s the first defence of his title against South Africa’s boxing sensation at home in the Arco Arena in Sacramento, California. Lopez won the title from Joey Gamache in Portland, Maine four months earlier. Despite the outcome of the first encounter Thobela believed he did enough to win the contest and he was a victim of hometown decision. Thobela took the title from Lopez on a unanimous decision.
30 October 1993
vs Orzubek Nazarov in Nasrec, Johannesburg
WBA lightweight title
Thobela, battling to make the lightweight limit, welcomed a much determined Russian prospect, Orzubek Nazarov, for his WBA lightweight first title defence. Nazarov’s awkward southpaw stance made it difficult for Thobela to hold on to his belt. In boxing tersm, a southpaw stance is where the boxer has the right hand and the right foot forward, leading with right jabs, and following with a left cross right hook. It is the normal stance for a left-handed boxer. The following year, The Rose lost against Nazarov in a rematch.
READ: Kevin Lerena on quest to capture prized WBC belt
1 September 2000
vs Glenn Catley in Sun City, North West
WBC super middleweight
When Thobela met the defending champion Catley, there was little hope that “The Rose” would rise to the occasion and win another major world title. This fight was a voluntary title defence for Catley and the British boxer chose Thobela, with the believe that the SA fighter was over the hill. The fact Thobela was trailing on two cards during the bout almost supported this statement.
But, with under a minute to go, Thobela launched a flurry of punches that sent Catley to the canvas, to hand The Rose a knockout win.
