Simba returns to reclaim his den

24 March 2015 - 10:03 By Bongani Magasela

Flo Simba makes a comeback at Emperors Palace on April 13, where he last fought in 2012 and suffered back-to-back first-round losses to Thabiso Mchunu. Without taking credit away from Mchunu, Simba's losses were associated with the debilitating effects of diabetes, which had weakened him as a result of his tendency not to treat it the way he was supposed to. Such was the severity of the condition that Simba once suffered a blackout while driving and wrote his car off.Simba has been in a two-year hiatus after those losses on the advice of his promoter Rodney Berman and manager Brian Mitchell to take time off to concentrate on his health.Simba says he consulted a battery of medical experts and now has his condition under control. Boxing SA has also sent him for numerous medical tests, including a brain scan. The former International Boxing Organisation youth heavyweight champion was cleared and relicensed by Boxing SA last year.His accomplished veteran trainer Harold Volbrecht expects him to dust off the cobwebs successfully against Marcel Mulumba in their non-title bout."The beauty about Flo is that he has been in the gym all the time. He assisted Johnny Muller [South African and World Boxing Council] light-heavyweight champion) and Thomas Oosthuizen [IBO and WBC light-heavyweight champion] with sparring. I expect him to do well," says Volbrecht."We never ditched Flo Simba. He had serious health problems which needed serious attention. He wants to fight again, so we're giving him a chance, but we'll monitor his fighting carefully and responsibly."..

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