Alberton boxer Sheldon “The IG Brawler” Stols has taken a major step towards achieving his dream after being crowned the Gauteng amateur boxing champion in the 44–46kg division.

The title was decided at the Gauteng Championships, held at Pretoria Transnet Boxing Club from July 17 to 19, where Sheldon defeated Luigi Hayes in the final.

For the young boxer, the victory carried extra significance after losing to the same opponent at the Johannesburg Championships earlier this year.

“It means that I’m one step closer to reaching my goal that I’ve been working towards for three years, and that’s to become the SA amateur champion,” said Sheldon.

“The Gauteng final was a revenge fight. I lost to this opponent at the Joburg Championships, so I wanted to prove that my comeback is better than my setback.”

His victory has also earned him provincial colours, with Sheldon selected to represent Gauteng at the South African Amateur Boxing Championships in Kimberley, Northern Cape, in September.

“I felt like it was a dream come true. Finally, all my hard work is starting to pay off,” he said.

His goal is clear.

“I want to go out there, have fun, enjoy myself and win gold. I want to become the 44–46kg SA Amateur Champion for 2026.”

To prepare for the national championships, Sheldon has stepped up his training, focusing on healthy eating, longer training sessions and maintaining discipline.

He said one of the biggest sacrifices has been choosing training over social activities.

“I’ve gone to the gym instead of parties or spending time with friends. I’ve also focused on eating healthier and cutting down on junk food.”

His coach, Nicky Ness, believes Sheldon has what it takes to succeed at the national championships.

“What stood out was his speed, ring craft and the obvious growth he showed going into the fight,” said Ness.

“He listens, corrects himself in training and always shows respect before and after fights. We believe he has a good chance of winning the SA title.”

Sheldon’s parents, Claudette Stols and Jacques Harmse, said the family is immensely proud of his achievement.

“Words can’t fully describe how proud I am of Sheldon. Becoming the Gauteng champion is the result of years of hard work, discipline and determination,” they said.

“We’ve made many sacrifices, from early mornings to long trips for training and tournaments, but we’ve always believed in his talent and dreams.”

Looking beyond the national championships, Sheldon has even bigger ambitions.

“My dream is to become a WBC world champion and be an example to the younger generation,” he said.

He also hopes to inspire other young people to chase their dreams.

“Life will test you. People will doubt you. But what you do when no one is watching is what makes a champion. Put God first, respect your coaches, parents and teachers, and never stop believing in yourself.”