Lerato 'Lights Out' Dlamini remains undeterred after world title fight postponement

Lerato 'Lights Out' Dlamini was scheduled to fight for the IBF World Championship on February 21 against champion Angelo Leo. 

However, the fight was postponed after the team for mandatory challenger Raeese Aleem declined an exception for the Dlamini-Leo bout to proceed as a voluntary defence, delaying Dlamini's title shot.

Dlamini, a South African contender, was deep in training when the cancellation occurred. 

He had previously withdrawn from a scheduled November 15 bout to ensure he remained injury-free and in peak condition for the championship opportunity.

“It was hard to process everything that happened because I was scheduled to fight on the 15th of November, and I had to pull out from the fight to prevent any injuries and possibly a loss, because in boxing, anything can happen,” he told Eyewitness News.

Dlamini admitted he felt defeated by the news, having invested significant time and personal funds into his preparation.

“Mentally, I was defeated at first because I had already pictured myself winning the world title. I spent money on camp, I had to pay boxers for sparring because it was the festive season and boxers were on a break. I missed out on Christmas and other family gatherings because I was deep in camp. So, when the fight was cancelled, it felt like my world fell apart, but then my wife, family, and my sponsor (Ice Tropez) were there for me emotionally. It gets worse before it gets better, that’s what I told myself.”

Dlamini’s manager, Colin Nathan, comforted the boxer by assuring him they would get back in line, either through a world title eliminator or by revisiting negotiations with Leo’s team.

“I am a fighter, and it’s my job to be in shape, so I never really stopped training,” Dlamini added.

The former WBC International champion has been in the professional ranks for 11 years. It was in 2015 that he made a personal promise to one day become a world champion.

“I have always been a person who doesn’t give up, even though it’s sometimes tough to keep on going. But when I look back at what boxing has done for me, from travelling overseas to taking care of myself and my family, it makes me appreciate the sport more. I take the good with the bad; it’s all part of the hustle.”

Regarding the frustration of inactivity, the former IBF Africa and Youth featherweight champion, who has not fought in about 10 months, noted that consistency is vital.

“Inactivity is the biggest sin in boxing. I am already in camp right now. I have a fight in April; I can’t go into detail about it before it gets announced. I have been sparring with different guys in the gym just to stay sharp, and I can say that it helps me with my rhythm and reflexes. I am always in shape, even when I don’t have a fight; I am always in the gym.”

Dlamini’s journey into the sport began at age 10 in 2004, driven by a desire to protect his mother from his father’s abusive behaviour when intoxicated. With his own child on the way, Dlamini is more determined than ever to write his name in the history books as the first world champion from the Free State.

“When I think about my boy, I just become happy. I want the best for him; I want to give him the life I never had. I want him to be proud of his father one day. I want to be an example for him and show him that no matter how hard life can hit you, you have to keep going and not give up. I think about him when I’m training. He has not been born yet, but I already know what he looks like through a 3D scan, and I have the scan of him as my wallpaper. Each morning when I wake up and prepare for my run, I look at my wallpaper, and that’s motivation and drive for me.”