JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South African boxer Dingaan Thobela, a two-weight world champion known as “The Rose of Soweto,” has died, the ministry of sports said on Tuesday. He was 57.
Thobela won the WBO lightweight title in 1990 and the WBA lightweight title in 1993, when he beat American Tony Lopez in a rematch. He moved up to super-middleweight and beat Britain’s Glenn Catley for the WBC belt with a 12th-round stoppage in 2000, his finest moment.
He finished with a professional record of 40 wins, 14 losses and two draws.
Thobela hailed from the famed Johannesburg township of Soweto and was widely popular in his home country as his rise coincided with South African boxing’s heyday in the 1980s and 1990s.
He was one of several world-class Black fighters to emerge during the last years of apartheid, when boxing was one of the few South African sports to allow Black athletes to compete on the world stage and gain international recognition.
Harris accepts debate invite to face off with Trump's VP pick, which may come at convention
Childhood friend asks for help to solve mystery death of 'caring and loving' mother
Double child killer Colin Pitchfork who raped and strangled two 15
The 13 style rules that every midlife woman MUST follow (and yes, beige really is banned!)
Houston storms: At least 4 killed, power cut in 900,000 homes
Rishi Sunak hints there won't be an election until AUTUMN during grilling on ITV's Loose Women
Damaged air valve in field of cattle is blamed as the source of Devon's parasite outbreak
California congressman urges closer consultation with tribes on offshore wind
Conor McGregor's dad Tony, 64, is hospitalized in Ireland after major health scare