Two local fitness trainers swapped gym routines for boxing gloves on Sunday evening in a spirited charity event at Townsend Park, Ballito.

Drawing more than 200 spectators, the event, dubbed ‘Rumble in the City’, raised funds to donate school shoes to underprivileged children in Umlazi.

Friends and colleagues at Virgin Active Ballito, Lindokuhle ‘Lindor’ Gumbi (31) from Groutville and Khulekani ‘Khule’ Ntombela (28) from Shaka’s Head, hosted a six-round exhibition bout to support pupils in need.

For the past two years, Lindor has run charity beach fitness bootcamps, supporting schools along the North Coast and in Zululand, where he grew up. Inspired by Lindor’s efforts, the pair decided to organise a boxing match to give back to Khule’s former school, Manzolwandle Primary in Umlazi, near Durban.

“We want to give these learners a fighting chance, so they can step into the new academic year with pride and full focus,” said Khule.

“We do a lot of boxing at work, so we wanted to see how it would be to fight each other, to see who’s better,” said Lindor.

The crowd was treated to an energetic showdown between the ‘Groutville Bomber’ and the ‘Shaka’s Head Hitman’. Judges ruled the bout a draw, though Lindor believed he edged it.

“It was scary, fun and amazing at the same time. The crowd was great, people turned up. Everyone thought I won… just not the judges,” he laughed.

Khule was equally thrilled.

“The support was immense and inspiring. The crowd made me feel like a world champion in my little world. I was still shadow boxing in front of the fridge when I got home!”

The fighters organised the event themselves, securing sponsorships for the equipment and restaurant vouchers as prizes.

“We’d like to thank everyone who helped make this possible,” said Khule.

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