From 1990 to 2006, Dingaan Bongane Thobela, a professional boxer from South Africa, competed. He passed away on April 29, 2024. Having won the WBO lightweight title from 1990 to 1992, the WBA lightweight title in 1993, and the WBC super-middleweight belt in 2000, he was a two-weight world champion. Thobela passed away at the age of 57 on April 29, 2024.
Dingaan Thobela’s Professional career
Thobela, also known as “The Rose of Soweto,” turned pro in 1986 and defeated Mauricio Aceves to win the WBO lightweight title in 1990 after amassing an amateur record of 83-3. He gave up the championship after three successful defenses, and in 1993 he went up against Tony Lopez, the WBA lightweight champion, but was defeated in a contentious decision. He faced Lopez again later that year and prevailed in a decision to take home the title. Struggling to reach the weight limit, he was defeated by Orzubek Nazarov in his first defense of the championship and again in a rematch in 1994. Not long afterward, he defeated WBF junior welterweight champion Kenny Vice in a non-title bout.
Later, Thobela made a big weight class jump, and in the latter stages of his career, in 2000, he faced WBC super middleweight champion Glenn Catley. In just his second fight in the higher weight class, Thobela won the championship by knockout in the 12th round.
In his first defense, he was defeated by Dave Hilton Jr. via contentious split decision once more. After losing to Hilton, Thobela’s career came to an end. He went on to lose five more fights, losing by TKO to Eric Lucas in 2001 when vying for the WBC super middleweight title, and to subsequent champions Mikkel Kessler and Lucian Bute.
Dingaan Thobela’s Childhood
On September 24, 1966, Dingaan Bongane Thobela was born in the townships of Soweto, which is close to Johannesburg. He only lost three of his eighty fights as an amateur. He became pro in 1986 as a boxer. This indicates that he received payment to box. He achieved great success. Before he suffered his first professional defeat, he had won 28 games and one draw.
Dingaan Thobela Cause of Death
According to a Sowetan story, Thobela, 57, was found dead in his Mayfair, Johannesburg, apartment on Monday night following a protracted illness.
It was Thobela’s childhood friend Eddie Mutungutungu who confirmed his death.
He claimed that after multiple failed attempts to get in touch with Thobela, his family was able to reach his apartment.
“He was oddly absent from his phone, and his family and the police were able to enter his home and discovered he had passed away,” To Sowetan, Mutungutungu said.
Additionally, the article said that Thobela and Sandra, his common-law wife, were no longer together.
Together, they were parents to Ntombi and Dingaan Thobela Junior.
It’s thought that he had been sick. He was unable to attend Boxing SA’s symposium last Friday at the Arena Holdings offices in Parktown due to his ill health.
Dingaan Thobela’s Illness Kept Him From Going to Boxing SA’s Symposium
Thobela is a former professional boxer from South Africa who competed from 1990 to 2006, according to Mabaleng Sports Center.
Having won the WBO lightweight title from 1990 to 1992, the WBA lightweight title in 1993, and the WBC super-middleweight belt in 2000, he is a two-weight world champion.
Dingaan Thobela Wife and Children
Dingaan Thobela was married to his common-law wife, Sandra and they have reportedly separated. Ntombi and Dingaan Thobela Junior were their two joint children.
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