Former football player Phikelelani Khumalo’s switch from DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) fields to boxing rings sealed another title on Sunday night.
Khumalo, known as “Stinger,” knocked out Don Juan van Heerden with a savage first-round body jab at Emperors Palace to retain his ABU Middleweight and South African Middleweight title.
That bout marked Khumalo’s 10th professional fight since trading soccer boots for boxing gloves back in 2020.
Khumalo easily defended both his crown in a bout promoted by Golden Gloves Promotions, continuing a wonderful rise that began the moment he said goodbye to football in 2020.
He had already been dabbling in boxing while still chasing goals as a DDC footballer.
“I knew I would be unhappy if I stayed,” Khumalo said in an interview with the Sowetan. “I chose boxing and focused fully on it.”
At 28, he admits his rise has surprised even him. “It’s been fun, but also shocking,” he said. “Sometimes I don’t believe how quickly things came together. But I now know anything is possible if you believe and stay focused.”
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GOLDEN ARROWS DSTV DISKI CHALLENGE STAR NOT PAID
Meanwhile, SA Sports has reported that, at Golden Arrows, many young players are getting by with almost nothing. No wages. No transport money. No real safety net. Just raw ambition, tested daily by tough circumstances.
One player spoke candidly about the mental weight it carries: “If you grow up with nothing and can’t even afford a pair of boots, your dream can fade very quickly. People see you on TV and think life is good, but the struggle is real. Only players with strong family support manage to cope.”
He explained how even small things become obstacles. “Sometimes you can’t even afford to buy photos of yourself playing.
The player revealed that photographers charge R100 for just two pictures, and if a player can’t afford to pay, the photos are not posted, regardless of how well he performed. He added that football, especially at that level, is far from easy.
The same player also revealed how survival often means bending the rules. “I make ends meet by playing in outside tournaments. The club doesn’t allow it because of the risk of injury, but I don’t really have a choice. I still need to survive.”
He believes the impact shows on the pitch too: “When you look at where we finished last season and where we are now, you can feel it.” He concluded by saying that the reality drains the entire team’s spirit.