South Africans are mourning former world boxing champion Dingaan Thobela, who died on Monday due to an undisclosed illness.
Thobela, 57 was found dead at his Johannesburg residence after family members were unable to reach him via phone, a spokesperson said.
The relative said: “When mobile phone calls to him went unanswered, we came to his flat, gained entry and discovered he had died”
Thobela who was one of South Africa’s most successful boxers, was named “The Rose of Soweto” after the community he lived. He won three world titles in two weight divisions between 1990 to 2006.
Overall, he won 7 out of 10 games, totalling a record 40 wins out of the 56 fights he entered. Twenty-six of which were knockouts.
“In the ring you dazzled us with your incredible speed, skill, devastating power, and tenacity,” someone posted on media platform X said.
“So many moments he gave us. Some memorable and some work of comedy,” another said.
“As we celebrate 30 years of South African democracy, we mourn the loss of an athlete who did so much to elevate South African sport through his success in boxing,” Sports Minister Zizi Kodwa said.
“We also celebrate a champion boxer who inspired the nation, future boxers and champions from Soweto, Mdantsane, Thohoyandou and other parts of the country.”