It was a triple triumph on Friday as Golden Gloves, the HotBox gym and SuperSport celebrated scooping major honours at the SA boxing awards held in Durban.
Unbeaten IBO lightweight champion Xolisani Ndongeni, who made a successful international debut in 2016, waltzed off with the SA Boxer of the Year prize.
Stablemates Hekkie Budler and Simpiwe Konkco were celebrated with Fight of the Year honours for their rousing 12-rounder 16 months ago. Ironically, while they were in opposing camps at the time, Konkco subsequently signed up with trainer Colin Nathan. The boxers are now firm friends.
“I’m delighted for all of them,” said Golden Gloves impresario Rodney Berman. “This is tribute to their hard work and the magnificent job done by Colin.”
Budler is in action against Joey Canoy at Emperors Palace this weekend. As ever, his stablemates will be roaring him on.
