Founder & Head Coach
Sibusiso
“Sbu” Zingange
SA Junior Lightweight Champion. WBA Pan African title holder. Still competing at the highest level — and coaching the next generation from Johannesburg's East Side.
The Story
Built in the
East Rand Ring
Sibusiso Zingange is not a former champion — he's an active one. With over 200 amateur bouts forged at Tony Green Hall in Boksburg, Sbu built a foundation that would carry him to the pinnacle of South African boxing.
In 2019 he claimed the WBA Pan African Super Featherweight title in Namibia. Then in February 2022, in front of a national ESPN Africa audience, he dethroned four-time defending champion Phila Mpontshane — winning the SA Junior Lightweight title by unanimous decision (120-107, 118-109, 120-109).
A career-threatening shoulder dislocation in his title defence tested his resilience. Instead of stepping away, Sbu channelled that period into something bigger — opening Eastside Boxing & Fitness Gym in Hughes, Johannesburg, giving the community the same environment that shaped him.
He returned to the ring in 2024, is back on the ranked list, and is currently campaigning for the vacant SA Junior Welterweight belt — all while training members at Eastside every week. That is what it means to be coached by a working champion.
Career Highlights
Amateur bouts — trained at Tony Green Hall, Boksburg
Wins WBA Pan African Super Featherweight title (split decision vs Sebastianus Natanael, Namibia)
Wins SA Junior Lightweight title — beats 4-time defending champion Phila Mpontshane via unanimous decision on ESPN Africa Boxing 14
Career-threatening shoulder injury — dislocated in title defence. Founds Eastside Boxing & Fitness Gym while recovering.
Comeback — defeats Marcus Lebogo in 8-round bout
Wins 10-round fight vs Hannock Phiri — targeting vacant SA Junior Welterweight belt
Fight Night
The Community
Vision
To be Johannesburg's premier boxing and fitness gym — producing champions inside and outside the ring.
Mission
To provide world-class boxing and fitness coaching in the East Rand — accessible to all levels, from absolute beginners to competitive fighters.
Values
Discipline. Resilience. Excellence. Community. Trained by a champion who is still fighting — we don't just talk about it, we live it.
The Team
Behind the Gym
Sibusiso Zingange
Founder & Head Coach
eastsideboxinggymsa@gmail.com
Ready to train under a champion?
Join the Gym