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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
FORMER Pan-African heavyweight champion Thamsanqa Dube is working on setting up a boxing academy that will identify and nurture aspiring boxers in Bulawayo.

Dube, who won the Pan-African heavyweight title in 2009 in Johannesburg, South Africa, by beating Jack Els in the eighth round, is presently gathering equipment to use at the gym.

The Pumala-bred former Zimbabwe number one pugilist has been doing backyard training at his Pumula East home.
Dube has 15 career fights, winning an incredible 12 matches and losing three, and is determined to make his academy a success.

“I’ve been quietly working on a project to set up a boxing academy, targeting young people. Growing up, I had an opportunity to learn from the best, being trained by the late Philip ‘Striker’ Ndlovu. I want to payback the experience I got from Striker by training youngsters and give them hope through boxing.

“What I know is that boxing teaches discipline and also gives hope. My wish is to be able to get more youngsters participating in boxing so that they are not tempted to do bad things,” said Dube.

The former heavyweight champion appealed for assistance from well-wishers.

“We need pads, pumping bags and gloves for the academy. In the long run, we will need weights and benches. Any form of assistance so that I’m able to train youngsters who look up to me is appreciated,” said Dube.

His former gym mate at Makokoba’s Tshaka Youth Centre, Elvis Moyo, has opened a gym in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Dube also offers personal training sessions.