Tshepo Mokhele
Bethlehem
By Tladi Moloi
Tshepo Mokhele, a junior fly weight boxer from Bohlokong, Bethlehem says he is ready to step into the ring for a high-stake match which is happening next week Friday.
A 22-years-old, Mokhele will fight in a 10 rounds Vacant Gauteng Mini-Flyweight title with Sphilele Miyeza from KwaZulu Natal. The fight will be staged at the Randeontein Secondary School and it is expected to attract a number of boxers across the continent. The fight is organised by African Child Boxing Promotion.
A boxer who is looking at the fight with hawk eyes says he wants to see himself as the World Champion and he has to prove that with the upcoming fight.
“For me this fight means a lot because it will be the first time I fight for that title. I want to win this fight for my late coach Smiling Tiger. I want to show South Africa that the Free State has Best Boxers. I am going there to represent the Free State and open doors for other boxers in the province.
“I want to make my Parents, Coaches, managers and my teammates proud. I believe that if I win this fight, I am quite sure that things will change after the win as some promotions will recognize me and some companies will sponsor me. I am most certain. So, I know what is at stake,” he confidently said.
Mokhele goes to the upcoming fight with his head held high as he holds a good record from his recent fight where he defeated Mncedisi Dube from KwaZulu Natal with the TKO in round six in a fight that happened in October last year at Escout in KZN.
He fought six times and won four, losing only two. Two of his four wins were knockouts (KO’s).
He started boxing in 2017 when he was at the tender age of 14-years. At that time, he was doing Gr. 8 at the L.K Ntlabati Primary School in Bohlokong.
He was mentored by the later Lejwetsamang Mofokeng who was affectionately known to the boxing industry as “Smiling Tiger”
“He departed in October 2024. May his soul continue to rest in peace. I am what I am today because of his teaching, he was a great man and who had passion for boxing,” he said.
My brother has always pushed me to join boxing but I was sceptical until one of my friends Thuso Lenyane took me with him when going to training, in 2017. That was when I joined the Smiling Tiger Boxing Club in Bohlokong, Bethlehem.
Mokhele turned professional boxer in 2022 during a fight in Welkom, Free State.
“I want to thank my new coach, Coach Charles and Coach Lebohang Monoko from Bloemfontein for helping me in my journey. A special one goes to Gerald Mokoena, he is the one who helps me financially when I struggle to get what is needed, I know he will bail me out,” he said.
