Boxing changed my life – Emmanuel Kalengui

“The Beast” as he is known, was scheduled for a battle against Blessing Shongwe on November 15, only for his opponent to pull out of the fight when everything seemed set in stone.

In an exclusive conversation with SABC Sport, this is what Kalengui had to say on his failed bout.

“Apparently my opponent wasn’t feeling well on the day of the fight. His doctor said his blood pressure may have been too high, maybe I intimidated him too much during the face off, I don’t know. All I know is, things like this happen in boxing, and for now we are back in the lab preparing for the next fight,” Kalengui said.

He revealed that he couldn’t even eat on his birthday because he was in camp and cutting weight, but the fledgling predator has already turned his attention to what lies ahead, and he believes he is more than ready to take on the ‘top guys’.

Just like his younger brother Moses, Emmanuel is a proud product of ‘Fight with Insight’-a nonprofit organisation that keeps children off the streets and helps young people find their purpose. Kalengui describes the influence of this special place.

“When I first arrived here as a kid, I did not have a ‘why’, but over the years I have discovered my purpose, and boxing has become my life. I wanted to learn about the magic of boxing, only to quickly discover that it requires a lifestyle of discipline, and sacrifice,” he added.

READ: Moses Kalengui targets SA Boxing stardom

Mentored by the likes of Luke Lamprecht and Anton Gilmore in his youth, Emmanuel has now become a role model to many youngsters within and outside of ‘Fight with Insight’.

His story is living proof that with boxing, your life can change for the better.

Kalengui turned professional this year and is signed to both ‘Boxing 5 Promotions’ and ‘No Doubt Management’-two of the country's best promotion and management set-ups. 

He has now started to understand the business of boxing, and he believes that the Kalengui brothers are with the right people to propel their careers into super stardom.