Former fighter Anton Gilmore has trained boxers for 18 years.
The day Ricardo Malajika stepped through his door, Gilmore instantly spotted something special.
The venerated former amateur star had the skill, technical precision and ring craft it often takes 10 years to teach.
“How lucky am I?” Gilmore asked no-one in particular.
Indeed, trainers dream of working with a super talent, often having to make do with far less.
Gilmore’s most adept pupil was Paul Kamanga, but word in Joburg’s southern suburbs is that Malajika has greater potential.
These are early days, but there were early signs of his class in his recent debut against Nkululeko Mnisi, who was dispatched in the opening round. On December 8, Malajika goes in against Teboho Makwala, the next step in fast-tracking him to a prominent foothold among the junior-bantamweights.
“The kid is so hot,” says Gilmore, who oversaw a Malajika sparring session against a far more experienced pro the other day. Onlookers say that Malajika took his heavier opponent to pieces in a classic demonstration of his skill.
The prodigy runs 8km to gym daily, not even breaking a sweat. If that says something of his fortitude, consider that he captured six SA titles in 60-odd amateur bouts, a remarkable return.
One of Gilmore’s strengths is reading a fight and then delivering a plan to implement it. He typically puts together several game plans, allowing his boxers to adjust and implement them on the hoof.
It helps if that boxer has a fighter’s instinct, which Malajika does.
“He has a mind like plasticine,” says Gilmore with understated admiration. “You can mould him to whatever is required. Ricardo picks things up so easily.”
With Malajika still just 20, the only concern must be in bringing him along at a realistic pace. Although there is talk of a youth title next year, this is a path to be walked with utmost care.
“Coach, I put my career in your hands,” the boxer has told Gilmore, a huge responsibility, but one the trainer is happy to shoulder.
Besides, Malajika has lofty ambitions. Not for him mere talk of a SA title. He’s told Gilmore that he wants to capture championships in six weight divisions. With goals like that, you’ve got to be able to deliver more than just talk.
Gilmore, with his refined eye for talent, is banking on him doing just that.
