Former boxer Phillip Ndou was tempted to come back from retirement on his birthday, last Wednesday, because of what he calls “lack of competition.”

Ndou was forced into early retirement two years ago, after the doctors discovered that there was a life-threatening cyst in his brain, especially if he did not quit boxing. Once regarded as the best pound for pound boxer in the country, Ndou, who is now working as a boxing commentator for SABC 2 sport and a trainer at Nick Durandt’s boxing gym, says: “I wanted to go for another brain scan last week Wednesday so that I can fight again if the doctor gave me a clean bill of health. I am concerned that there is no boxer who is selling South African boxing like I did, so I wanted to reclaim my position.

“But I changed my mind, because I did not want to be disappointed. I realized that if the doctor tells me that the cyst is still there, then it will open the old wounds,” says Ndou, who turned 28 last Wednesday.

Ndou says he is also concerned that there are no young developing boxers in Limpopo, where he comes from.

“Since the graduation of Cassius (Baloyi), myself, Joseph Makaringe and Isaac Hlatshwayo, there are no other boxers who are coming through. This is a very serious concern that needs to be addressed urgently. There are many talented young boxers in Limpopo, but the problem, I think, is a lack of knowledgeable trainers.”

“Most trainers in Limpopo lack boxing knowledge and a lack of resources also plays a very big role,” says Ndou while adding that he will open his own gym in Limpopo and produce a world champion one day.