Theo-Main Fourie, a 17-year-old from Reiger Park on the East Rand, is the first recipient of the Dingaan Thobela Bursary, which was announced at Emperors Palace on Thursday afternoon.Named in honour of the late former world champion, the bursary is intended to benefit a deserving youngster who shows ambition, ability, and promise; the very qualities Thobela exemplified as a promising boxer.Golden Gloves has sponsored the year-long National Certificate in Sports Management and will cover all associated costs as Fourie, a business studies student at Oosrand Commerce and Entrepreneurship School of Specialisation, undertakes the course.
Fourie is a proud member of the Reiger Park Boxing Academy and has already showed distinction, winning silver at the Gauteng School and Age Group championship in 2022, followed by gold in 2023.
Fourie was introduced to the capacity crowd at the “Rivalry Reloaded” weigh-in, saying how honoured he was to have been selected for the bursary.
“I grew up watching Kevin Lerena boxing at Emperors. Boxing is important, but I want to balance it with education,” said the youngster, who fights at bantamweight. “I’m still developing and see myself in the amateurs for several more years. And this bursary will help me move into business, which I enjoy.”
Said Golden Gloves CEO Rodney Berman: “He’s a very impressive youngster, so hopefully this goes a long way towards his career ambitions. He has showed rich promise as an amateur boxer, but having it underpinned by education is critical. I look forward to following his progress.”
