Mateki floats, stings and knocks out his first pro opponent
Inspired by Canelo Álvarez, Limpopo boxer Katekani Khosa dropped nine kilograms to make weight for his pro debut, and now wants to become "the role model I never had."
LIMPOPO – Boxer Katekani Khosa, known as Mateki, is determined to build a successful career in the ring while inspiring young people from his community to believe dreams can become reality through hard work and discipline.
“My goal is to fight the best boxers in the world and knock them out,” said the ambitious welterweight.
A club that nearly didn’t survive
Khosa’s boxing journey began in 2019 while repeating Gr 9 at Hudson Ntsan’wisi High School, when James Maghabia Mathonsi visited to introduce learners to the newly formed Bunch Boxing Club.
Without a coach, the club struggled to hold his interest, and it later closed due to Covid-19.
A chance meeting with coach RJ Ngobeni
His passion was reignited a year later when he and a friend were stopped by a police officer and boxing coach RJ Ngobeni for not wearing masks outside a local shop.
“Instead of getting into trouble, we asked him about boxing. He told us to come to Bunch Boxing Club at Bankuna High School, and that’s where everything really started,” Khosa recalled.
He trained through the pandemic and made his amateur debut in Phalaborwa in May 2021.
Fear turns to confidence in the ring
His biggest breakthrough came in his professional debut.
Despite pre-fight nerves, his fear eased as coach Emanuel Muthavatshindi wrapped his hands, and the crowd’s support gave him confidence once his name was announced.
Khosa dominated the bout, flooring his opponent three times before the referee stopped the fight just two minutes and 10 seconds into the first round.
“I was very happy and proud of myself to start my professional journey with a knockout,” he said.
Nine kilograms, months of sacrifice
The win followed months of sacrifice, dropping from 75kg to 66kg for the welterweight division through 20km runs four times a week and a strict diet, guided by coach Thabiso Letswalo and training partners Chris Ndlovu, Denzel Medi and Bongani Hlangwini.
“I learned that I must never doubt myself, but I also learned not to become careless, because my opponent surprised me with his pressure,” he said.
Becoming the role model he never had
Khosa credits his father and girlfriend, Aurient, as his biggest supporters.
Inspired by Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez, he believes boxing teaches discipline and keeps young people off the streets.
“I want to become the role model I never had growing up,” he said.
