Every month the Northglen News will profile sporting heroes who compete across a wide spectrum of sporting codes. These could include World or SA Champions or even rising stars who look set to take the sporting world by storm. Either way, if they are excelling or are passionate about the sport they play, then they stand a chance of featuring on our ‘Homegrown Sport Talent’ page.
Durban North resident Lee Dyer is hard at work training for his next fight. He said in order to succeed in boxing, you need to have passion, drive, and be ready to work hard.
THERE’S no denying Lee Dyer’s sporting prowess, the Durban North resident has represented South Africa both in ice hockey and roller hockey. He even had a short stint on the motocross scene. Now, he is making waves in the professional boxing ring. The current South African Super Middleweight champ said his journey to success has been one of hard work, training and dedication.
Northglen News recently caught up with Dyer to find out where it all began.
“I didn’t really enjoy school, I was more sports driven and interested in playing physical sports. I represented South Africa for the first time at the age of 14 in ice hockey. The Mighty Ducks movies at the time really inspired me to get involved, I even played for the Southgate Mighty Ducks. I think the adrenaline is what I sought. After a while I tried doing motocross which was fantastic, that was until a serious injury curtailed my career.
Lee Dyer as he approaches the ring. PHOTO: N Squared Photo
“I was riding in a local event at Monte Casino to qualify for an international event, I was cresting over a hill and I realised I had given it too much gas, I overshot the landing by some 30 metres and I came down hard. My chin split as it hit the handlebars of the bike and I remember feeling excruciating pain in my foot which had completely shattered. The heel bone had cracked and it was just a complete mess. Doctors even wanted to amputate it. While I was recovering in hospital I kept thinking my sporting career is over, I was devastated,” he said.
Soon after however, Lee began boxing because of his former brother in law, the Merciless Mark Strydom.
“Mark introduced me to boxing and at first I was a bit reluctant to get involved. I was a bit sluggish but as time wore on I found my rhythm and began enjoying the sport to a point where it became my life’s passion. I had my first amateur fight in 2007 against a guy called Scott Valentine, I almost died after it. It went 10 rounds and after winning I didn’t realise the stamina and strength you need for the sport. I never looked back from that point. I’ve held the baby champs boxing title and I’m now the South African Super Middleweight champion.
“All of this is thanks to God, I put all my trust in him. Holding the SA title is a dream come true, however the pinnacle of success of me is about giving back to the younger generation. Owning Domination Knuckle Game has offered me an opportunity to work with some promising talent and world-class boxers in KZN. To be successful in this sport, you have the drive, determination and you’ve got to be ready to work hard and most importantly you have to be passionate about what you do,” he said.
My Favourites Fave sports to watch: “I love watching ice hockey.” Fave food/cuisine: “Pizza, I have my own pizza oven so I use that to make my favourite meal.” Fave TV shows/channels: “I would have to say Vikings.” Fave musician/band: “It has to be Coldplay.” Fave quote that you live by: “I have a silver baton that my pastor gave me and it says ‘run to win’, that always sticks with me.
Shiraz has been a community journalist for the last 12 years and has a specific interest in everything sports. He holds a Bachelor of Arts undergrad degree and honours degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal where he majored in Communications, Anthropology and English.
