Baleni leaves Xaba Boxing Academy after seven years

“It’s been seven years now that he has been with us,” said Matiti. “He was trained by Miniyakhe Sityatha [former SA junior bantamweight champion] and Mnyamezeli Shosha before his departure.”

He said the boxer informed Saliwa that he received an offer from elsewhere.

“That’s what I heard,” said Matiti. “We then took a view to release him. We are not privy to the actual reasons why he opted to leave, but we accept their importance to him and to us. That’s good enough, and we wish Toyi Toyi the best in his future endeavours.”

This happens just after it was reported that Baleni and trainer Jack Khangelani had reunited. It was said that the duo had been a force before when the trainer was still associated with Xaba Boxing Club, and their unity broke when Khangelani left and went solo, taking along Nhlanhla “Mount Kilimanjaro” Tyirha and Asanda Gingqi last year.

It is understood that Baleni and Khangaleni are back together.