RIP Dingaan Thobela

No way! I remember watching him on either Tuesday NIght Fights or ESPN when he was coming up. RIP!

 

RIP.

 

RIP. Condolences to the family.

 

The Rose of Soweto from South Africa campaigned for 20 years starting in 1986 and was most notable as a lightweight, winning WBO and WBA honors at 135 pounds (splitting a pair of fights with Tony Lopez most notably).

He also won the WBC super middleweight title.

After losing the WBA crown he lost a few in a row and then it was win a few, lose a few. At only 5-foot-7 1/2, he fought up to small cruiserweight (180s) and lost his WBC super middle belt to Davey Hilton via split decision in Canada, so was at surprisingly effective at the higher weights.

In 56 fights (40-14-2) he won 26 times by KO and was stopped only four times, and never at lighter than junior middle (with 135 being his best weight) so he was durable and a competitor.

Thobela, the two-time world champ, did himself, his family and his country proud. RIP, champ.

 

Damn. Forget that he went on to fight Kessler and Bute. At his natural weight he was nobody's easy night. RIP, Champ.

 

Shocked to hear this bad news. RIP Dingaan

 

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Colin Nathan giving his take on Dingaan's passing for the South African TV.

For me - it's the opposite. I only really remember him as a bit chubby Super Middleweight - who was still able to compete on good level because of his skills and craft.

 

RIP Sir. Far too young.

 

I think he was the only guy to win a major title at 135 and 168.

 

Rip.

 

RIP.

 

RIP Champ. Classy lightweight with decent power. Real joy to watch in action. Amazing to see him at Super-middle winning a World title.

 

RIP champ.

 

Sad news, he got his flowers (or 'Roses' in his case) while he was with us.