Former Boxing Champion Dingaan Thobela Found found dead
According to reports, a former boxing champion has passed away at the age of 57 after a brief illness.
Dingaan Thobela, popularly known as the “Rose of Soweto”, was found dead in his apartment in Johannesburg after several attempts to reach him via phone calls.
This news adds to the somber atmosphere in the boxing world, following recent reports from Sports Buddy about the death of heavyweight boxer Ardi Ndembo, who tragically passed away three weeks after being knocked into a coma.
Thobela’s death discovered after unanswered calls
Concern arose when Thobela failed to respond to calls for several days, leading friends to discover his passing at his residence in Mayfair, Johannesburg, on Monday evening, after forcibly entering his flat.
“It was not like him to not answer his mobile phone and his family worried about him accompanied police to his home and found he had passed on,” a close friend said, as reported by The Sun.
Thobela’s illness hinders attendance at boxing SA Symposium
Dingaan Thobela’s declining health prevented him from attending Boxing SA’s symposium as an esteemed guest at the Arena Holdings offices in Parktown last Friday. Despite his health struggles, Thobela often humorously teased about a potential “comeback.”
Legacy of a Champion
Thobela’s career, spanning from 1990 to 2006, showcased his resilience and talent. Hailing from Chiawelo, Soweto, he continued to receive adoration from fans and remained committed to philanthropic endeavors, aiding those facing poverty.
His illustrious career saw him capture three world titles across two weight divisions. Initially securing the WBO and WBA lightweight titles early in his career, he later moved up in weight class.
However, the pinnacle of his career arrived when he claimed the esteemed WBC super-middleweight belt in 2000, achieved through a 12th-round stoppage victory over defending champion Glen Catley.
This triumph, which took place at Carnival City in Brakpan under the guidance of trainer Elias Tshabalala, solidified Thobela’s status as one of South Africa’s most revered athletes, etching his name into the annals of national sports history.
