Dube to make crucial decision on boxing career

Dube who lost to Flo Simba of South Africa in a non-title heavyweight contest in Johannesburg on 29 August last year, has been keeping a low profile. He has hardly been seen in the Bulawayo Central Business District and says he is spending most of his time in Pumula East.
In an interview from his Pumula home yesterday, Dube said he was still the Zimbabwe Heavyweight Champion. He said he had not thrown in the towel but an injury to his knee after a freak incident at home four months ago had threatened his career.
“Its true I have kept a low profile and a lot has been said about me. I have been spending a lot of time at home and doing a bit of training. I am still the Zimbabwe Heavyweight Champion.
“The reason why I have not been visible is because soon after my return from the Flo Simba fight I slipped at home while putting tiles in one of the rooms. For a while my knee was very painful and swollen. I was advised to rest for a while. Even up to now it’s still painful,” said Dube.
His inactivity is coupled with the fact that fights are far apart and at times without worthy competition. Dube who once held the World Boxing Association (WBA) Pan African title has been among the most affected by lack of boxing promoters.
Dube admitted that he has not been to the gym for months.
“I have not been to the gym where I train, I am sure at the end of this month (January) I will be able to tell my fans where I stand,” said Dube.
At one stage Dube was touted as the next “Man Mountain” Kilimanjaro and was expected to make an impact at most of the world governing boxing bodies.
His coach Phillip Striker Ndlovu believes its up to the boxer to continue fighting.
“If he still wants to fight we will help resuscitate him but most of the training initiative would have to come from him. He has a weight challenge and we expect him to work very hard. Tshaka’s doors are always open to boxers,” said Ndlovu.
There is so much promise for the sport with a number of promoters promising to make 2012 the ‘turn-around-year’ for professional boxing.
Mordicai Donga has joined the fray while from Hwange former lightweight and light welterweight boxer Kelly Moses wants the paid ranks to have a base at the coalmining town.