He has the world in his corner
2007-11-01
Malané Bosman
THIS young man from Mbekweni is focused. He knows, one day he will be a professional boxer, with the world in his corner.
Sivuyile (Mexican) Caleni (17) was voted Paarl Post Junior Sportsman of the Year recently.
The Mexican, as he likes to be called, is not only Western Cape 48kg light-fly champion, but he also fought himself into Zone VI champion (of South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Lesotho and Botswana) when he obtained a gold medal in March.
Caleni was born and bred in Mbekweni and is now in Grade 9 at Ihlumelo Junior Secondary.
He was only 12 years old when he started boxing.
“I walked all over Mbekweni to watch the men box,” he says.
“Later my father had to take me to bouts in Cape Town so that I could watch. For me there was always only boxing.”
Caleni is focused. His passion is boxing. There is no time for girlfriends.
His coach, Fanor Carolissen, is as passionate about his young star.
“I’m going to prepare him for the 2012 Olympics. But first he will take part in the 2011 All African Games.
“He won the Zone VI at a young age, and he’s got to be 18 to get into the Olympics. And I believe he will be ready to take gold.”
Caleni trains twice a week for two hours at the Abattoir Street Sports Centre. The Mexican knows where he is going.
“I want to become a pro. And I want to coach children - they don’t back talk.”
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