Kagiso King Hlungwani (32), a professional and licensed boxer, says more should be done to promote boxing as a sport in the Northern Cape.
Born in Mpumalanga, he moved to Kimberley in 2006. He is married and has two children.
“I remember the first time I was introduced to boxing, I was invited to a tournament. I remember thinking that I can beat these guys. That is when I joined a boxing club and got my ass kicked every day for the first week. I stayed away for a week before I went back. That is when I learned that boxing is a very disciplined sport.”
Kagiso is not only a professional boxer and personal trainer, he also works as an asset verification officer at the Department of Agriculture.
“The best thing about boxing is that it teaches you patience that you can translate into your everyday life. It teaches you when to counter and when not to counter.”
Kagiso has been a boxer for six years and says the achievement he is most proud of, is that he is the only active professional boxer in the Northern Cape as well as winning his first international fight.
“The government needs to do more to support boxing as a sport in the Northern Cape. When we do international fights, we need to look like professionals as we are representing our country. Even after I won my first international fight, it was not acknowledged. We need to shed some light on boxing in the Northern Cape. People have lost hope.”
Kagiso’s advice for young boxers is to get themselves out there.
“Get yourself out there. Social media is here to assist us. Post your skills. Post your sparring. Post it everywhere you can. Make sure people can reach you. Stay disciplined. Don’t drink and smoke.”
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