Angel fought his demons and won

VIP Boxing Academy boxer Lwandile “Angel” Sityata has the opportunity to fight to reclaim the Southern African Champion title in bantam weight of 53kg.

Angel, as everyone knows him, was born in rural East London and grew up in the Free State before making his way to Benoni and joining the boxing academy in the CBD.

His journey to professional boxer started at the age of six – he said boxing is in his blood due to the fact that he grew up in a community of boxers, one being his own father.

ALSO SEE:

Rynfield teen part of SA ice hockey team which scoops a gold world title

Angel turned pro in his late teens, and now has 29 fights, three losses and a draw behind his name, and is currently holds the Southern African Champion title, which means the champion (Angel) will do mandatory defence because he is rated number one in the country.

“Angel expresses the beauty and purity of boxing,” said Amahle Mahlasela, administration at the VIP Boxing Academy.

To reclaim his title, he has his big match on March 8, in East London, at the Orient Theatre, which he has been training very intensely for.

“From Sunday to Sunday I train, two hours in the morning, three hours in the afternoon and later on in the evening before I go to bed another hour,” said Angel.

But it wasn’t all butterflies and rainbows for Angel on his journey to where he is now.

He has a tough past. At the age of 21, Angel fell in with the wrong crowd which introduced him to crime. He was arrested for armed robbery and incarcerated until the age of 23, but Angel fought back.

“I wanted my life to be something better, something more, and this is what I want to teach everyone out there who may have given up or is struggling with a similar path.

“Taking things one step at a time, pays off,” said Angel.

Angel’s father, Christopher Sityata, who was also a boxer, rehabilitated Angel through boxing,

“Boxing took me away from crime, it wasn’t just about fighting and being violent, it taught me discipline and this is what I want to teach others,” said Angel.

“I want to teach others what my dad taught me – don’t give up because you made a mistake,

“It would be my dream to also produce champions one day, and I want to show kids and adults that just because you had a rocky past doesn’t mean you have nothing left in your future,

“I had a young life of crime, but fought my way back to my future and I am now 31, a pro boxer and teaching others to do the same,” said Angel.

There will be fund-raisers to help raise money, held during the build up to Angel’s match in March to raise money for his trip so that he may fight to reclaim his title.

The first is a Valentine’s five-day boot camp for couples and singles, from February 10 to 14.

For more information about this contact Harry on 078 214 6047.