SA
Another victory for ‘boxing’ Nathan
Chalking up another victory for Joburg-based boxing trainer Colin Nathan, Simphiwe Khonco successfully defended his IBO mini-flyweight title for the third time against a determined Toto Landero of the Philippines on Sunday.
JORDAN MOSHE
Khonco delivered a spectacular performance at Walter Sisulu University in his home town of Mthatha, earning a unanimous points win – 117-112, 116-112, 116-112.
Nathan, his trainer, is thrilled at yet another win, as Khonco is the second of his protégés to clinch a world championship in two months. Named Trainer of the Year for 2017 by Boxing South Africa, Nathan has also been the only person in Africa to be nominated to sit on the World Boxing Council Training Committee.
Although Nathan was heard urging Khonco to change his strategy during his match against Landero, barking: “Let your hands go! Let your hands go!”, he needn’t have worried. Khonco walked out of the ring triumphant, notching up another triumph for Nathan and South African boxing.
In May, Nathan travelled to Japan with his other champ, Hekkie Budler, to watch him square up against previously undefeated Japanese boxer Ryoichi Taguchi. Budler emerged victorious from this match with a score of 114-113 to become the first South African boxer to hold three junior-flyweight titles.