Babui's boxing career shifts gears
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday January 8, 2021 15:49
Babui has boundless energy and confidence but has remained an underdog in professional boxing. He has had a tough start from an early age after losing his month when he was eight. His mother’s death shattered his dreams of pursing a career in football. “I was good at football when I was still at Bophirima Primary School but I had to give up on that because I did not have support since the person who believed in me was no longer there.
I stayed for a few years without participating in sport,” said an emotional Babui. Upon arrival at G-West Junior Secondary School in 2009, Babui stumbled upon boxing and felt it was where he belonged. “I wanted to become a karateka but boxing was more attractive because I wanted an area where I could use my strength and power in punching. I was given an opportunity and went on to compete at the BISA national championships in 2009 and won a gold medal. I was the shortest boxer but I was not intimidated by my opponents,” he said. Babui said during his debut, he rained punches on his opponents and the way he dominated the ring won him fans.
By then his ring name was Mahindra. That name did not last long as he was given Gearbox after destroying an opponent from Thebephatshwa BDF Camp during inter-club championship. “They gave me that name because they saw that I do not hold back, I attack and I do not fear my opponents,” he said with a chuckle. His excellent performance gave him a slot in the Under-20 national team.
Babui went on to compete at the SCAZA Games only to meet opponents above his level. “It was a difficult competition because I was fighting in a higher division and I was the shortest. I lost in the quarterfinals. From there I decided to take a break from boxing,” he said. Upon his return, he joined DTCB boxing club where he found talented boxers such Kagiso and Steve Bagwasi in his category.
Babui said that made it hard for him to break into the senior national team. “I had the passion for the sport and I was even invited to compete at the 2014 BoBA Best of the Best. Most of the boxers know my often-destructive rage. After that I decided to turn professional and the challenge was that we did not have a lot of competitions like today,” he said. Babui said DTCB coach, Thebe Setlalekgosi informed him about FOX TV bouts that were to be hosted in Gaborone in 2017. He said the bouts lasted for two years and it was back to another dry spell for professional boxing. “I give all praises to Setlalekgosi because he groomed and made me a man that I am today. During the FOX bouts I had a chance to fight against international boxers from South Africa,” said the 26 year old. Babui said he was given a WBF title shot but he felt that he was not ready. “I was fighting in a higher weight against an experienced champion who had defended many titles. Even the title fight against Mothibedi, I was not ready.
I was struggling with weight but the promoter, Scud Khubamang forced me to compete,” he said. Babui said when he thinks about the bout, it leaves a bitter taste in his mouth because he knows that he could have done better if he was in good shape. He also said the painful thing was that he was not aware of the WBF rules and only learnt about them on the day of the fight. Babui said he lost a lot of money preparing for the fight only for things to get worse for him. Babui said his intention is to train in South Africa and he is in talks with a certain stable in the neighboring country. “I want a shot at the African Boxing Union (ABU) title, if I win, I would like to defend it. Then in December I could challenge for International Boxing Organization (IBO) title. I would like to have a coach but looking at the current situation the only person that could assist me is Setlalekgosi,” he said.
FACT FILE
Full names: Tshepang ‘Gearbox’ Babui
Date of birth: September 22, 1994
Place of birth: Shoshong
Profession: Professional boxer Weight division: Bantamweight Hobbies:
Farming Style: Orthodox