Dingaan Thobela

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Dingaan Bongane Thobela (born March 15, 1972 in Soweto, South Africa), is a professional boxer in the Super Middleweight (168lb) division.

1 Professional Career
2 Comeback
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] Professional Career

After compiling an Amateur Record of 80-3, Thobela, known as "The Rose of Soweto", turned pro in 1986 and won the WBO Lightweight Title in 1990 after beating Mauricio Aceves. After defending the belt three times, he delinquished the title and then challenged WBA Lightweight Title holder Tony Lopez in 1993, but lost a decision. Later that year he rematched Lopez, and won a decision to win the title. He lost the title in his first defense to Orzubek Nazarov, and lost a rematch to Nazarov in 1994.

Thobela later moved up significantly in weight class, and in 2000 took on WBC Super Middleweight Title holder Glenn Catley, winning the belt via 12th round TKO. He again lost the title in his first defense to Dave Hilton Jr via split decision. The loss to Hilton was the beginning of the end for Thobela, who lost his next five fights, including a TKO loss to Eric Lucas for the WBC Super Middleweight Title in 2001. He retired in 2004.

[edit] Comeback

Thobela reportedly will return to the ring after an absence of nearly two years on October 27, 2006 when he challenges Soon Botes for the South African light heavyweight title at the Wembley Indoor Arena in Johannesburg, South Africa. Many are surprised that the bout was sanctioned due to Thobela's inactivity, age, and lack of success just prior to his retirement. In the bout Thobela was outclassed by the South African before failing to come out for the tenth round.

Preceded by: Mauricio Aceves	WBO Lightweight Champion 22 Sep 1990– 1991 Vacates	Succeeded by: Giovanni Parisi
Preceded by: Tony Lopez	WBA Lightweight Champion 26 Jun 1993– 30 Oct 1993	Succeeded by: Orzubek Nazarov
Preceded by: Glenn Catley	WBC Super Middleweight Champion 1 Sep 2000– 15 Dec 2000	Succeeded by: Dave Hilton, Jr.