adminTadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
FORMER World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Africa champion Brendon “Boika” Denes is lucky to be alive after he was involved in a near-fatal accident in Mashava on Saturday.
Denes escaped unhurt but his car, a Honda Fit which rolled several times while trapping the pugilist inside, has since been declared a write-off.
The best-ranked bantamweight boxer in the country was travelling with his two friends who also escaped with minor injuries after they were both thrown out of the rolling car.
The accident happened just days after the boxer arrived back in the country from a high-profile fight against Dean Sutherland in Aberdeen, Scotland.
The Zimbabwean lost the bout via a technical knockout when taking a knee in the seventh round.
A traumatised Denes felt lucky to have escaped death in Saturday’s accident.
“I can only say there is a living God in heaven. I was the one driving the car with two friends sitting at the back.
“The car just veered off the road and in trying to control it, it started rolling,” said Denes.
“It was a horrific experience. I remained trapped in the car but grace protected me.
“My friends were thrown to the tarmac and they both sustained minor injuries. I escaped unhurt and I thank God for that”.
Ironically, Denes was also involved in a road accident around the same time last year, just a few days after arriving back in the country from another fight in Russia.
He lost to the host nation’s Vitaly Petryakov via a ninth round KO.
Two days after his return from that fight, his Subaru Forester vehicle sideswiped with a haulage truck leaving him with moderate injuries.
“Around the same time last year I was also injured in an accident.
“But I thank God for the protection. I need to continue praying,” said Denes.
The highly-rated fighter said he is working towards reclaiming lost glory.
“I am working hard in the gym. These days I am training with Charles Manyuchi and also with the help of Ali “Otto” Phiri.
“I was in Scotland and then Manchester in England. I am trying to learn a lot from the sport.
“I am working towards polishing my flaws. The idea is to try and challenge for high level titles.
“The international fights that I have been having are meant for experience”.
Online Reporter