Thobela plans comeback

FORMER South African boxer Dingaan Thobela plans to return to the ring at the age of 40 to challenge Soon Botes for the SA light heavyweight title in Johannesburg on October 27.

One of South Africa’s most colourful sports personalities, Thobela has not fought since December 2004 when he was stopped in four rounds by Lucian Bute in Canada. The loss was his sixth in row and it fuelled calls for him to retire.Now he wants to extend a career that already includes three world titles.During his 20 years as a professional, he often changed promoters.Now he will join the Branco Sports Production stable.”I never really said goodbye to my fans,” Thobela said on Tuesday.”I feel I should come back and do so properly.”To do that, he plans to embark on a nationwide roadshow to defend the SA light heavyweight crown if he beats Botes in a return bout.Thobela was experiencing mixed fortunes in 2000 until he beat Botes for the SA super middleweight title.The victory paved the way for him to challenge Canadian Dave Hilton for the WBC super middleweight crown.He surprised everybody when he stopped Hilton in 12 rounds.”I believe I can do it again,” he said on Tuesday.SupersoccerThe loss was his sixth in row and it fuelled calls for him to retire.Now he wants to extend a career that already includes three world titles.During his 20 years as a professional, he often changed promoters.Now he will join the Branco Sports Production stable.”I never really said goodbye to my fans,” Thobela said on Tuesday.”I feel I should come back and do so properly.”To do that, he plans to embark on a nationwide roadshow to defend the SA light heavyweight crown if he beats Botes in a return bout.Thobela was experiencing mixed fortunes in 2000 until he beat Botes for the SA super middleweight title.The victory paved the way for him to challenge Canadian Dave Hilton for the WBC super middleweight crown.He surprised everybody when he stopped Hilton in 12 rounds.”I believe I can do it again,” he said on Tuesday.Supersoccer