Thamsanqa Dube relocates to SA

Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
FORMER Zimbabwe and Pan African World Boxing Association heavyweight champion Thamsanqa Dube has relocated to South Africa in a bid to revive his career. The heavily built pugilist who was forced to take a break from boxing after being knocked out by South Africa’s Flo Simba in August 2011 is training with budding South Africa-based Elvis Victor “Bulawayo Bomber” Moyo at The Bronx Gym in Johannesburg.

Dube, also known as “The Tanker” or “Thamzozo” by his fans has been sparring with Moyo who is preparing for a WBF title fight against former South African heavyweight champion Osbourne Machimana in Cape Town on 22 November.

In an interview from his new base Dube said he wants to resuscitate his boxing career.
“As you know I have been out of the picture for a while since my fight with Simba. I picked up an injury during my last fight but I have since fully recovered and I am training hard here. I have been training with Victor (Moyo) who is preparing for a title fight and through the sessions that we have held, I feel it’s time to get back into the ring and fight.

“Like I said before, I still have 12 more years to fight and being here has given me a purpose to work on my fitness so that I can re-launch my career. I just need one fight to get a break and I believe I can get one in South Africa as they have lots of competitions in a year,” said Dube.

The boxer-cum-musician said he has since shed off weight and now is 126kg. At one stage he weighed 170kg.
The former heavyweight champion said sparring with Moyo who is mobile helps him to perfect his moves.

Dube and Moyo used to train together under veteran instructor Philip “Striker” Ndlovu at Makokoba’s Tshaka Youth Centre Gym.
Under Ndlovu, Dube won the Pan African World Boxing Association heavyweight title after beating Jack Els in the eighth round at South Africa’s ceremonial home of boxing, Emperor’s Palace.