Durandt’s son‚ Damian‚ inconsolable on death of boxing legend‚ says: ‘I am a shadow of my father’

22 April 2017 - 14:39 By Bongani Magasela
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Nick Durandt’s son‚ Damian‚ broke down uncontrollably contacted on Saturday after the death of his father on Friday‚ and could only breathe the haunting words: “I am a shadow of my father.”

The 26-year-old first-born son of Nick “Mthakathi” Durandt sobbed uncontrollably as he struggled to speak to TMG Digital about the sad death of his father‚ the South African boxing trainer and legend.

Durandt‚ 53‚ was killed in a motorbike accident while travelling on R712 between Clarens and Bethlehem in the Free State.

He was rushed to a nearby hospital in Bethlehem where he was certified dead on arrival. He died of internal bleeding.

Damian Durandt – who was licensed as his father's assistant trainer at the age of 14 – was at his father's bedside when Durandt died.

“I am a shadow of my father‚” he said on the phone‚ before hanging up‚ unable to speak further.

  • No SA trainer came close to Nick Durandt's list of boxing championsNick “Mthakathi” Durandt‚ who died at the age of 53 in a motorbike accident on Friday‚ produced more champions than any other trainer in the history of South African boxing. 

Durandt loved his sons‚ Damian and Storm. When SA’s greatest boxing trainer received a Lifetime Achievement award from Boxing South Africa in Durban in January‚ he dedicated it to them.

Durandt said then: “Ladies and gentlemen‚ I dedicate this award to two people in my life – my boys at home‚ Damian and Storm – for giving me the time that I needed to produce all the champions and allowing me to steal most of their life from them.

“I also want to thank my 27 international champions‚ my 97 South Africa champions and my 38 world champions.”

Only three months later the pulse of this charismatic‚ flamboyant‚ straight-talking and at times controversial trainer had been halted by death on a motorbike.

The tributes have poured in since his death.

BSA Chief Executive Tsholofelo Lejaka said that Durandt’s departure “will certainly leave a big void in our sport” at a time when the trainer had renewed his licence and was planning a return to boxing.

“What he achieved in his illustrious career can only be described as legendary. No other South African trainer has produced nearly as many national‚ international and world champions as he did‚” Lejaka said.

  • Boxing trainer Nick Durandt dies in motorcycle crashFlamboyant trainer Nick Durandt has died. 

“Most heartbreakingly‚ Nick’s departure happens at a time when he had just announced his return to become a trainer again and produce even more champions.

“We dip our banners in honour of this fallen field marshal of our pugilist forces.

“He shall be remembered as a skilful trainer and a passionate mentor‚ a true patriot and fearless flag-bearer who conquered countless global battlefields in defines of national pride‚ a gallant sport activist who was never scared to talk truth.

“Our heartfelt condolence goes to his family‚ friends‚ loved ones and the Crusaders Motorbike Club who were with him on his last journey.

“The entire nation is certainly in pain. In him‚ we lost a star whose glow was yet to shine even brighter.”

Durandt joined the Crusaders Bike Team‚ which later became president of‚ after he quit boxing last year.

New Sports Minister Thulas Nxesi told TMG Digital: “We express our heartfelt and deep condolences to his family‚ friends and those who were touched by the late Nick Durandt’s magnanimous talent.

“Though words cannot be enough to express our condolences to the Durant family‚ we hope they find comfort in the messages of support given to them by the sports fraternity and the boxing family at large.

“As part of our tribute to Nick Durandt‚ the Ministry of Sports and Recreation strives to continue to support boxing and further ensure that it continues to grow as well as respect the sport. Our prayers and thoughts are with the Durandt family during this time.”

  • SA's boxing kingmaker hangs up his glovesFlamboyant boxing trainer Nick Durandt says he is done with the sport. But Boxing SA officials are adamant that Durandt is still in the game. 

Some fellow trainers did not like Durandt. Some accused him of stealing their boxers because he had the backing of the business sector.

The situation was worst in East London. Many boxers from there – including Masibulele “Hawk” Makepula‚ Zolani “Last Born” Tete‚ Simpiwe “Golden Master” Nongqayi‚ Simpiwe “V12” Vetyeka‚ Mabhuti “Macman” Sinyabi‚ Lusanda “Mexican” Komanisi and Thabo Sonjica – relocated to Johannesburg to team up with Durandt. This left the Eastern Cape dry of talent.

The last boxer from the Eastern Cape who Durandt guided to victory for a title was Sonjica who won the WBC International Silver Featherweight belt with a knockout of George Krampah at Mdantsane Indoor Centre on June 13‚ 2015.

Moruti “Baby Face” Mthalane – who won both the IBF and IBO Flyweight strap under Durandt’s guidance – left his mentor when he retired.

Mthalane‚ who still holds the IBO diadem‚ is now with trainer Colin Nathan‚ whose first assignment with the boxer from KwaZulu-Natal will be at Wembley Arena on Friday when Mthalane defends against Genesis Libranza from the Philippines.

- TMG Digital/TMG Sport

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