Lindokuhle Khuzwayo on clinching the IBO All-Africa featherweight title

Lindokuhle Khuzwayo on clinching the IBO All-Africa featherweight title

The undefeated 22-year-old, Lindokuhle Khuzwayo, shares his journey from Maphumulo in KZN to capturing the IBO All-Africa featherweight title in knockout fashion.

Khuzwayo met experienced Nigerian Rilwan Lawal on November 1st in front of a sold-out crowd in Sandton, in what was the first major title shot of his career.

The scheduled 10-round bout reached its conclusion in the second round when Khuzwayo shut the Nigerian’s lights off with a lethal overhand right after some bruising left hooks.
In conversation with SABC Sport, this is what the ferocious featherweight had to say about his last performance.
“To be completely honest with you, I did not expect the fight to be as easy as it was. Maybe it was because we trained so much harder than the actual fight.
“I left no stone unturned in my preparation, and I was really happy to win the title the way I did. For me, it has always been about hard work and discipline.”

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Five out of Khuzwayo’s eight pro-bouts have ended with his opponents on the canvas, and the new IBO All-Africa champion admitted that his speed and his power at featherweight is a cut above the rest.
At only 22 years of age, Khuzwayo realizes that more formidable challenges await him in the ring, but the young puncher has navigated stormy waters before to reach the level he has reached today.
“Growing up in rural KZN was tough. Violence was common in the place I grew up, and I often saw how my grandmother would be abused, and that’s when I decided to take up fighting and become a professional boxer, to stand up for myself and those around me.
“Despite the difficulties at the time, I learnt a lot when I was an amateur fighter in KZN, and also while I was representing my country at a young age.”
It was during a national competition in KZN that renowned trainer and manager Sean Smith identified his talent and decided to welcome the determined Durbanite into his stable.
Khuzwayo has big aspirations in the fight game and intends to defend his belt a few times before exploring bigger fights abroad.
“For now, I’d like to defend my title against anybody they put in front of me, but if bigger opportunities for other belts arise, I will take them.
“If you ask any boxer what their ultimate dream is, they would say it is to become a world champion. I want to be a world champion someday, but my main goal is to show the world what Africa is made of. I want to do what no African has done before,” declared Khuzwayo.

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