Zimbabwe heavyweight boxing champion Thamsanqa Dube says he is battling to shed off 30kg before his steps into the ring again. The burly boxer has been out of action since August last year.
His last appearance in the ring was against the Democratic Republic of Congo- born boxer Flo Simba at Emperors’ Palace in Johannesburg, South Africa, in a non-title fight he lost.
The match was almost cancelled after Dube was deemed too fat, as he tipped the scale at 135kg during the weigh in.
Dube yesterday told NewsDay Sport he was still training hard despite no fights coming up.
“I am still a boxer and I still want to fight. I am training to make sure that by the time I get a fight I will be ready. I am confident that I can return to my top level,” he said.
Lobengula West Boxing Academy coach Ellington Mutero is assisting the Bulawayo-born boxer get back to shape, but insisted he was still under the guidance of veteran coach Phillip “Striker” Ndlovu.
“I am working hard because I want to shed off some weight. I was weighing 167kg, but I have lost 18kg. I am grateful because I am getting assistance from Revival Motorways who are giving me transport and other equipment,” he said.
Dube was the WBA Pan-African Boxing title holder before he was stripped of the title in July last year after he failed to defend it within the stipulated time frame.
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He beat veteran boxer Arigoma Chiponda in his only local fight at the Large City Hall in Bulawayo in June last year.
In the past Dube, had beaten boxers like Chiponda, Smart Nkomo and the retired Gardner Ndingwa.
