Boxing legend Mnguni still overlooked by International Hall of Fame – Berman demands justice
The late Mzimasi “Mzi” Mnguni, one of South Africa’s most revered boxing trainers and managers, remains absent from the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF), a glaring omission that has sparked renewed calls for his posthumous induction.
Rodney Berman, South Africa’s top boxing promoter and founder of Golden Gloves, has been campaigning for Mnguni’s recognition for over half a decade. In a letter sent to the IBHOF, Berman expressed deep frustration: “I’ve approached them incessantly. I’m not prepared to let it go until he is recognised.”
Mnguni, who passed away in 2021 at the age of 73, was instrumental in shaping the careers of seven world champions, including Welcome Ncita, Vuyani Bungu, Mbulelo Botile, and Zolani Petelo. Operating out of a modest gym in Mdantsane township, often with outdated equipment, Mnguni’s achievements defied the odds and transcended borders.
“If the late Mzi is not deserving of recognition and induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, then from my perspective it places serious doubts on what importance induction carries,” Berman wrote in his impassioned plea.
Despite receiving a lifetime achievement award from Boxing South Africa in 2018, Mnguni’s legacy has yet to be formally acknowledged on the global stage. His story – one of grit, vision, and triumph over adversity – is widely seen as worthy of international tribute.
Berman believes Mnguni’s exclusion reflects a broader neglect of African contributions to the sport. “Had he not been from Africa, his story is the stuff from which movies are made,” he said.
As the boxing world continues to celebrate its icons, the absence of Mzi Mnguni from the IBHOF remains a painful oversight for South African boxing, and a call to action for international recognition.
