Thulani Malinga

Last updated

Thulani Malinga
Born (1955-12-11) 11 December 1955 (age 68)
Ladysmith, South Africa
NationalitySouth African
Other namesSugar Boy
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 9+1⁄2 in (177 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights57
Wins44
Wins by KO19
Losses13

Thulani Malinga (born 11 December 1955) is a South African former professional boxer who competed from 1981 to 2000, and held the WBC super-middleweight title twice between 1996 and 1998. [1]

Contents

Professional career

Known as "Sugar Boy", Malinga turned pro in 1981 after compiling an amateur record of 185–10. He began his career with a first-round stoppage of Victor Zulu on 8 August 1981. Malinga held several championship titles during a twenty-year career as a middleweight, super middleweight and light heavyweight, fighting memorable bouts against Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank and Roy Jones Jr., among others.

In 1989 he got his first shot at a title, taking on undefeated IBF super middleweight title holder Graciano Rocchigiani. Malinga lost a decision, and the next year took on Lindell Holmes, again for the IBF super middleweight title. He again lost via decision, and in 1992 got a shot at the WBO super middleweight title against Chris Eubank, during which Malinga was dropped in the fifth round and lost a close decision. Three months later he was also to lose a close decision—by just half a point—against Nigel Benn. After many fights in his native South Africa, and a further KO loss to Roy Jones Jr. in the U.S., he landed another shot at the title in March 1996 against Benn, who was now the WBC super middleweight champion. Despite suffering a knockdown, Malinga scored an upset against Benn to win the title, but ended up losing the title in his first defense against Vincenzo Nardiello. He regained the title in his next fight, a decision win over Robin Reid (who had defeated Nardiello in his first defense of the title). However, he would again lose the belt in his first defense against Richie Woodhall, via decision. He fought four more times, retiring after a suffering an eighth-round TKO against Ole Klemetsen on 14 January 2000, finishing his career with 44 wins (20 by KO) and 13 losses. His trainer was Nick Durandt. [2]

Professional boxing record

57 fights44 wins13 losses
By knockout193
By decision259
By disqualification01
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
57Loss44–13 Ole Klemetsen TKO8 (12), 2:4014 Jan 2000 Koldinghallerne, Kolding, DenmarkFor vacant IBA light-heavyweight title
56Loss44–12 Mads Larsen TKO10 (12)19 Mar 1999 Falkoner Center, Copenhagen, DenmarkLost WBF (Federation) super-middleweight title;
For IBO super-middleweight title
55Win44–11Peter H MadsenRTD8 (12), 3:0027 Nov 1998 Vejlby-Risskov Hallen, Aarhus, DenmarkRetained WBF (Federation) super-middleweight title
54Win43–11Fredrik AlvarezTKO11 (12)5 Jun 1998 K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, DenmarkWon WBF (Federation) super-middleweight title
53Loss42–11 Richie Woodhall UD1227 Mar 1998 Ice Rink, Telford, EnglandLost WBC super-middleweight title
52Win42–10 Robin Reid UD1219 Dec 1997London Arena, London, EnglandWon WBC super-middleweight title
51Loss41–10 Vincenzo Nardiello SD126 Jul 1996 NYNEX Arena, Manchester, EnglandLost WBC super-middleweight title
50Win41–9 Nigel Benn SD122 Mar 1996 Telewest Arena, Newcastle, EnglandWon WBC super-middleweight title
49Win40–9Trevor AmbrosePTS822 Jul 1995 London Arena, London, England
48Win39–9Soon BotesTKO7 (12)4 Mar 1995Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal, South AfricaWon South African super-middleweight title
47Win38–9Martin OppermanTKO9 (12)20 Nov 1994Wembley Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, South AfricaRetained South African light-heavyweight title
46Win37–9Ray AcquayeTKO5 (12)14 Aug 1994Hotel Casino, Wild Coast, South AfricaWon vacant African super-middleweight title
45Win36–9Mohammed IsaacsKO7 (12)20 Feb 1994Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, South AfricaRetained South African light-heavyweight title
44Loss35–9 Roy Jones Jr. KO6 (10), 1:5714 Aug 1993 Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, US
43Win35–8Gary BallardUD1210 Feb 1993City Hall, Durban, South AfricaRetained South African light-heavyweight title
42Win34–8Jim MurrayMD1214 Sep 1992Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, South AfricaRetained South African light-heavyweight title
41Loss33–8 Nigel Benn PTS1023 May 1992National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, England
40Loss33–7 Chris Eubank SD121 Feb 1992 National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, EnglandFor WBO super-middleweight title
39Win33–6Leonard FriedmanUD1013 Aug 1991Morula Sun Casino, Mabopane, South Africa
38Loss32–6 Lindell Holmes UD1215 Dec 1990Palazzo del Ghiaccio, Marino, ItalyFor IBF super-middleweight title
37Win32–5Sakkie HornPTS1211 Oct 1990 Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, South AfricaWon South African light-heavyweight title
36Loss31–5John JarvisMD125 Aug 1990 Barranquilla, ColombiaFor IBF Inter-Continental super-middleweight title
35Win31–4Tony HarrisonUD1029 Jan 1990FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
34Win30–4Oscar PenaUD105 Dec 1989 FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
33Win29–4Jose QuinonesTKO8 (10)21 Oct 1989 San Juan, Puerto Rico
32Win28–4Vincent BoulwareMD1018 Sep 1989Portuguese Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa
31Win27–4Nicky WalkerUD1027 May 1989Superbowl, Sun City, South Africa
30Win26–4Mike PeakUD1011 Mar 1989Indoor Centre, Springs, South Africa
29Loss25–4 Graciano Rocchigiani UD1227 Jan 1989 Deutschlandhalle, West Berlin, West GermanyFor IBF super-middleweight title
28Win25–3Larry MusgroveSD1018 Jul 1988West Ridge Park Tennis Stadium, Durban, South Africa
27Win24–3Jim MacDonaldUD107 Mar 1988 Oppenheimer Stadium, Orkney, South Africa
26Win23–3Harry CowapUD101 Feb 1988 Standard Bank Arena, Johannesburg, South Africa
25Loss22–3Sakkie HornDQ12 (12)21 Nov 1987Indoor Centre, Springs, South AfricaFor South African light-heavyweight title;
Malinga disqualified for an intentional low blow
24Win22–2Prince TukaneTKO4 (10)18 Oct 1987City Hall, East London, South Africa
23Loss21–2Sakkie HornSD129 May 1987Far North Rugby Stadium, Pietersburg, South AfricaLost South African light-heavyweight title
22Win21–1Freddie RaffertyUD1215 Dec 1986West Ridge Park Tennis Stadium, Durban, South AfricaRetained South African light-heavyweight title
21Win20–1Sakkie HornPTS1219 Oct 1986Portuguese Hall, Johannesburg, South AfricaWon South African light-heavyweight title
20Win19–1Gregory ClarkUD1228 Jun 1986Eldorado Park Stadium, Johannesburg, South AfricaRetained South African middleweight title
19Win18–1Pieter de BruinTKO8 (12)8 Mar 1986Crown Mines Showgrounds, Johannesburg, South AfricaRetained South African middleweight title
18Win17–1Kosie van VuurenRTD10 (12)14 Dec 1985Currie's Fountain, Durban, South AfricaRetained South African middleweight title
17Win16–1Pieter de BruinPTS627 Jul 1985Superbowl, Sun City, South Africa
16Win15–1Frankie DecaesteckerRTD522 Jun 1985Bleskop Stadium, Rustenburg, South Africa
15Win14–1Robert MadiTKO8 (8)20 Apr 1985Currie's Fountain, Durban, South Africa
14Win13–1Gavin StirrupKO2 (10)15 Mar 1985Riverlea Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa
13Win12–1Mwehu BeyaRTD6 (10)26 Oct 1984Riverlea Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa
12Win11–1Michael MotsoaneUD1215 Jun 1984Riverlea Hall, Johannesburg, South AfricaRetained South African middleweight title
11Win10–1Prince TukanePTS81 May 1984West Ridge Park Tennis Stadium, Durban, South Africa
10Win9–1John DiaminiKO4 (10)27 Feb 1984City Hall, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
9Win8–1Samson MohloaiUD127 Feb 1983West Ridge Park Tennis Stadium, Durban, South AfricaWon vacant South African middleweight title
8Win7–1David KalakoPTS64 Oct 1982West Ridge Park Tennis Stadium, Durban, South Africa
7Win6–1Shadrack SitholeKO2 (10)13 Sep 1982City Hall, Pietermaritzburg, South AfricaWon Natal middleweight title
6Win5–1Graham MdingiRTD2 (6)28 Aug 1982Steadeville School Hall, Ladysmith, South Africa
5Win4–1Morris MohloaiPTS65 Jun 1982Limit Hill Tennis Stadium, Ladysmith, South Africa
4Loss3–1Patrick TshabalalaPTS617 Apr 1982Showgrounds, Ermelo, South Africa
3Win3–0Werdie JacobsKO4 (4)30 Nov 1981West Ridge Park Tennis Stadium, Durban, South Africa
2Win2–0Cyprian ShanduPTS412 Sep 1981Seaman's Institute Hall, Durban, South Africa
1Win1–0Victor ZuluTKO1 (4)8 Aug 1981Seaman's Institute Hall, Durban, South AfricaProfessional debut

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References

  1. ↑ "Thulani Malinga defied age to lift WBF title". The Sowetan. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  2. ↑ Staff Reporter (22 April 2017). "Tributes pour in for boxing legend Nick Durandt". Enca.com. Archived from the original on 7 January 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Bruce McIntyre 		South African
middleweight champion
7 February 1983 – October 1986
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Gregory Clark
Preceded by
Sakkie Horn
 South African
light-heavyweight champion
19 October 1986 – 9 May 1987		Succeeded by
Sakkie Horn
Preceded by
Sakkie Horn
 South African
light-heavyweight champion
11 October 1990 – March 1995
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Ginger Tshabalala
Inaugural champion ABU super-middleweight champion
14 August 1994 – November 1994
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Bertrand Tchandjeu
Preceded by
Soon Botes
 South African
super-middleweight champion
4 March 1995 – March 1996
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Soon Botes
Minor world boxing titles
Preceded by
Fredrik Alvarez
 WBF (Federation)
super-middleweight champion
5 June 1998 – 19 March 1999		Succeeded by
Major world boxing titles
Preceded by WBC super-middleweight champion
2 March 1996 – 6 July 1996		Succeeded by
Preceded by WBC super-middleweight champion
19 December 1997 – 27 March 1998		Succeeded by
Records
Preceded by Oldest super-middleweight
world champion
Age 40
2 March 1996 – present		Incumbent
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