Having debuted way back in early 1993 Cassius “Mr Shy Guy” Baloyi has enjoyed a hugely successful career. Over the past 18 years, he’s collected fringe world titles with the WBU at 122, 126 & 130 before he finally got his chance to win a major world title in 2006 when he claimed the IBF Super Featherweight crown beating old war horse Manuel Medina. The title joy didn’t last long as he shockingly lost the title to Gairy St Clair in his first defence just two months latter. While some fighters would of moved up in weight, looked at other avenue’s to win a world title Baloyi stuck to his guns and was active, 2 fights later he fought St Clair again this time in an IBF 130 title eliminator as St Clair had also lost the crown. Baloyi dually out boxed St Clair and then beat countryman an IBF Champion Mzonke Fana to reclaim his old crown. After one title defence he lost the crown a year later to another South African, Malcolm Klassen in April 2009. Since then he has managed to beat Roberto Arrieta before he fought and lost to Fana for the Vacant IBF title. This Saturday he fights young Dominican Republic boxer puncher Argenis Mendez 17-1(9) at home in South Africa in an eliminator. It’s fair to say that the IBF title has had it’s share of owners over the past few years but it says a lot about it that Baloyi keeps coming back to try to win it. Currently the Johannesburg native is 36 years old and sports a 37-5-1(19) ledger.
Hello Cassius, welcome to 15rounds.com
Anson Wainwright – Firstly you will be fighting Argenis Mendez on 29 January, what are your thoughts on that fight and what do you think of Mendez?
Cassius Baloyi – Mendez is good young, aggressive up and coming fighter, but he never fought the same quality boxers I fought. It will possibly be my last opportunity to challenge for the IBF World title. As you know, I’ve been two times IBF world Champion in this division, and I will have to do my best comes 29 January at Carnival City.
Anson Wainwright – If you win you will be mandatory challenger to fight your fellow South African Mzonke Fana for the IBF title. Does this add to the motivation for you?
Cassius Baloyi – With out doubt. I fought Fana twice. First time I totally outclassed Fana, but last time I just wasn’t my self. This third fight will set the record straight for both of us, and I’m looking forward to it.
Anson Wainwright – Who is part of team Baloyi, who is your manager, trainer & promoter? Also what gym do you regularly train at?
Cassius Baloyi – I’m self managed, and I have changed the trainer since my last fight. I was with Manuel Fernandez for the last two fights, but some thinks wasn’t right and now I’m with Gert Strydom. My promoter remains the same, Branco Milenkovic.
Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us a bit about your boxing background from your early years ?
Cassius Baloyi – I grow up in the “boxing family”. My Dad was and is still involved with amateurs. Many of us, who have become champions in professional ranks, do come from Limpopo Province, and all of us were in amateurs with my dad. Just to mention few names which you may recall yourself: Former IBF Welterweight Champion Isaac Hlatshwayo, Former WBC World Challenger Phillip Ndou, Former IBF Challenger Jeffrey Mathebula, former IBF Jnr. Welterweight Champion Lovemore Ndou. All of us come from the same amateur gyms.
Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us what Boxing has done for your life? Are you a local celebrity or do you prefer the quiet life?
Cassius Baloyi – I prefer the quiet life but with status of two times IBF Champion, there is not much privacy, as you would understand. I help a lot to charities, as I try to use my status and influence in order to assist to other who has been less fortunate.
Anson Wainwright – Also can you tell us about the impact the Soccer World Cup had on your country?
Cassius Baloyi – It was great for the country! I hope it can happen again, as have given us a lot of credibility and respect worldwide.
Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do away from Boxing? What are your hobbies & interests? What other sports do you enjoy and what teams do you like to watch?
Cassius Baloyi – Boxing is my main sport! My free time I spend with my family and my kids. However, I have opened my own executive gym. It is for business executives strictly.
Anson Wainwright – What are your thoughts on the current state of the Super Featherweight division? What do you think of the champions WBC Takahiro Aoh, WBA Takashi Uchiyama, IBF Mzonke Fana & WBO Ricky Burns?
Cassius Baloyi – I would like to fight ay of them. I was two times IBF Champion, but I would like prior of my retirement to add another belt.
Anson Wainwright – The IBF Super Featherweight division has been won by 3 South African’s including yourself. The other two being Fana & Malcolm Klassen. What can you tell us about the rivalry between you and them is it friendly or do you dislike each other?
Cassius Baloyi – It is a big rivalry as we all come from the same country. There were some very good fights among ourselves and public loves it. This is business and I try not to take thinks to a personal level.
Anson Wainwright – What goals do you still have in Boxing?
Cassius Baloyi – There are two goals I would like to achieve. To become for the third time IBF World Champion, and to unify with any of other three big organizations.
Anson Wainwright – Have you thought what you would like to do when you retire from Boxing?
Cassius Baloyi – I will stay in my executive gym to assist corporate business executives, but I would like to assist to my dad as well with the amateurs.
Anson Wainwright – Who was your hero when you were younger?
Cassius Baloyi – Not only when I was young but still today, my hero is Nelson Mandela.
Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans ahead of the fight with Mendez?
Cassius Baloyi – I will beat Mendez, and give to the public what they want to see – Fana vs. Baloyi 3!
Thanks for your time Cassius
Hope I will have pleasure of meeting you someday in South Africa!
Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com
Thursday Thoughts – Following on from the British domestic fights I’d like to see, I’ve come up with other fights between guys from the same country I’d be happy to watch. The first one is a guaranteed Uncivil War pitting Marcos Maidana against Lucas Matthysse. The two Argentinean’s both boast near 90%, are in there prime’s, are a similar age and have not to dissimilar records. How could you not love to see these two swing away. No way this one goes past the half way point & just for history’s sake how about it takes place at the famed Estadio Luna Park…I know Lucian Bute is Romanian & Jean Pascal is Haitian but there now both naturalised Canadian’s that’s good enough for me & put it at the Bell Centre…We may actually get Juan Manuel Marquez & Erik Morales it has been mentioned for 9 April, it would of been better 7 or 8 years ago but still these two are still two blood and guts warriors with hearts the size of the country. It’s just a shame if it happens it’ll be in Las Vegas & not The Azteca Stadium in Mexico City…Others that crossed my mind Juan Urango-Breidis Prescott, Michael Katsidis-LennyZappavigna, Any combination of Rafael Marquez, Daniel Ponce De Leon & Jhonny Gonzalez, Julio Cesar Miranda-Edgar Sosa & Giovani Segura-Ulises Solis.
If there are any fighters you would like to hear from you can contact me on [email protected]
