Bert Collins boxers keeping the faith

Three boxers from the Bert Collins Boxing Club are getting ready to represent Ekurhuleni at the Gauteng Championships on the weekend.
“It is a lot of pressure for me, going in as a provincial champion,” said Gerhard Thysse.
“When you come in to defend your title, people just assume that it is easy. With everything that has been going on, I do feel quite a lot of pressure.”

The provincial champ will compete in the elite 81kg category.
“It has been quite challenging to train while keeping Covid-19 regulations in mind. Boxing is a contact sport, but at the same time, we cannot touch each other right now, for safety reasons.

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“I am fortunate because even while the clubs were closed, I could train at home with my father, who is my coach,” he said.
The 27-year-old has his eyes set on turning pro by the end of the year.

Geannè Dicks (19) will be competing in the elite 75kg category for women.
“The regulations has definitely changed how we train. Sparring is very important, but now we cannot be that close to each other in the gym,” she explained.

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Geannè remains uncertain about her fitness after months of not competing.
“It is going to be a greater challenge having to do this without my dad,” she said.
Her father, coach Freddie Dicks, died a few months ago.
“I am still going in with a positive attitude. I know he is in my heart, and once I get into the ring I will remember everything he taught me,” she added.

Eighteen-year-old Minnet Dicks will compete for the first time in the youth category.
“I can’t blame Covid for everything, but we definitely did not train as we used to. Getting the proper experience has been different from previous years. But I am going in to win,” she stated.

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