JOHANNESBURG –The launch of a new boxing gym by South African female boxing trainer, Jodi Solomon, in collaboration with five-time World Boxing champion, Roy Jones Jnr, on September 1 is set to be a huge bonus for the sport in South Africa.
Over two decades ago Solomon decided boxing was going to be her career, at a time when there were no professional female boxers or even a competitive environment for women.
Soon after, her passion and interest grew to include both the training and management of local talented boxers. From 2008 onwards Solomon began managing top boxers like Isaac “Golden Boy” Chilemba. Her guiding hand guaranteed Chilemba’s success across a number of big fights and in 2016 US boxer Roy Jones joined her training team.
A legend in the ring and the only boxer in 106 years to begin a career as a junior middleweight and then go on to win a heavyweight title, the two of them have continued to collaborate ever since. The new gym, situated in Craighall, Johannesburg, will have a strong focus on fitness training and will assist both talented pro-fighters and younger fighters.
“I have been extremely privileged to have worked with Roy for so many years. He has assisted with my knowledge and understanding of the sport, in addition to my training ability,” Solomon says.
Says Jones: “Jodi is a force to be reckoned with, I am thrilled to announce our partnership. We hope to inspire all who love boxing and unearth new talent in South Africa."
A post shared by Isaac Chilemba(@lsaac_chilemba) on Jul 10, 2018 at 2:14pm PDT