The Rose of Soweto – the uncrowned champ

THE IRONY of Dingaan Thobela’s death just two days after the country celebrated 30 years of democracy would not be lost on the discerning fan of the former great boxer fondly referred to as “The Rose of Soweto”.Thobela, a three-time world champion in two weight divisions under three different sanctioning bodies, was found dead at home on April 29 after a reported illness.Some 34 years ago on April 27, Thobela became an “uncrowned” world champion when he beat then WBO lightweight king Mauricio Aceves in what should have been a title fight, only for the Mexican’s camp to make it…