It’s not every day that you get to meet a world champion boxer.
Mogale City proudly welcomed global boxing champion Thato Bonokoane on Saturday, January 28 in style as he made his way from Kagiso to the Mogale City Local Municipality’s Town Hall with a JMPD entourage accompanying the world champion.
With everyone excited to take pictures, the intercontinental champion kept saying to the crowd, “Even after 12 rounds in the ring, this is still just too heavy for me,” earning a few laughs from the crowd. Thato, popularly known as ‘Captain Charisma,’ has travelled around South Africa and certain parts of the world since earning the World Boxing Federation (WBA) junior featherweight championship by a majority 12-round decision on October 9, 2022 at the Feather Market Hall in Gqeberha.
Although he lost his mother to breast cancer in 2020, he continued to live by what his mother Matshidiso Priscilla Bonokoane taught him.
“My mother’s death shattered me but I didn’t lose focus. I felt deeply hurt till this day but because she raised us so well, I managed to remember her teachings and live my life the best way possible,” he said.
Executive Mayor of Mogale City Tyrone Gray praised Thato for reaching new heights in the sport and said hopefully the city will welcome more champion boxers in future. The titles Thato obtained include the All Africa Champion title and Intercontinental Champion title.
Newly elected Ward 22 Councillor Devin Nieuwenhuisen also had a few words to share saying, “Thato is putting us on the map – not just locally but internationally as well,” he said, which earned him a round of applause.
Father to the global champion Pinkie Amos Bonokoane added, “People don’t know how much you care until they care about how much you know,” when he was referring to his son’s hard work, focus and determination. Thato explained to everyone, that he is still his usual self to which everyone agreed.
“I continue to keep myself in the community because I like that, I love to see people do well in life.”
Even though the 32-year-old champion said he has not done as much as he would have liked for his community he would love to see more young boys from various communities get involved in the sport.
“I want to see more youngsters take up boxing and be taken more seriously, especially by the municipality. If everyone can get on board boxing will grow and you never know if a talented fighter lurks somewhere. I also want my own successful gym, produce champions and help them create a good life for themselves,” he said.
He concluded, “God, hard work and determination are the three winning ingredients for becoming a boxing champion.”
