KNYSNA NEWS – Local boxer Jay Jay Ndukwana, 31, received a welcome helping hand from Re/Max Coastal and Coyote Events last week that enabled him to travel to East London for his second-ever professional fight.
He boxed in the lightweight division and the fight was streamed on SABC.
He had only competed in one professional fight before, in December 2019, which he won with a knockout in the first round, but had to put his budding boxing career on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This set him back considerably, but did not deter him.
He continued to stay fit and work hard, aiming to get back into the ring.
The chance finally came in East London on Sunday, but while he had the drive and the determination to make it there, he didn't have the means. This is where
Re/Max and Coyote stepped in, the former sourcing some boxing attire for Ndukwana and arranging jackets and boxing trunks for him and his coach, Gcobani Tom, while Coyote Events provided financial support to be able to travel. Sadly it wasn't a fairy tale return to the ring.
He suffered a defeat by split decision having gone the full length of the match.
Ndukwana took up the sport of boxing at a young age, but never really boxed seriously. He was born in Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape and grew up between there and Knysna, matriculating from Percy Mdala High School in Knysna.
After school he spent eight years in the sport of bodybuilding before deciding to take up professional boxing in 2019. He currently trains independently from home and isn't affiliated to a boxing club, but aims to continue growing his boxing career.
The kind sponsors who made Jay Jay Ndukwana's trip possible. From left: Bronwyn Lloyd (Coyote Events), Jay Jay Ndukwana, Chris van der Merwe (Re/Max Coastal), Gcobani Tom (Ndukwana's coach) and Belinda Hobson (Coyote Events). Photos: Blake Linder
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