Neo Seboka now works for Correctional Services at the Fort Jackson prison in Mdantsane
- snkonyeni1
- Feb 19
- 2 min read

This feature is dedicated to our local boxing heroes, who after years of dedication to the fistic sport they loved and lived for, have now hung up their gloves and living different lives from what they were accustomed to. Reasons for the afore - mentioned departure vary from old age, injury, politics and sickness. This has resulted in some of these former pugilist turning their backs on boxing all together to pursue other interest, while others remain involved in different roles in boxing. TEC visited former Border Flyweight champion Neo Seboka at his NU 6 Mdantsane home, to find out about life after his illustrious boxing career.
In a township where boxing is regarded as a religion it was inevitable for Seboka to join the sport of boxing as a young boy, his greatest influence was his family who instilled the love of boxing in him.

“Both sides of my parent’s had major influence in me, my uncles were boxers and my father used to take to me to boxing tournaments at Sisa Dukanshe Stadium and sometimes we would listen to the radio. It was in 1985 that I joined a local gym with with my peers and I was hooked,”he said.
Despite his record of 17 fights in his professional career, a sizable fan base and almost 20 years in the game, Seboka had nothing much to show for it.
“We were involved in boxing for the love of it not for money when we started those days, all we wanted was to compete and be famous like our boxing heroes before us. I think I made R 25 000 in my whole career as a boxer, what kept me going was my side hustle as a hairstylist. When I turned 30 years I took the decision to quit in 2024 and look outside boxing to make ends meet.” he lamented.
Now donning a brown uniform in order to put food on the table, Seboka might not be easily recognisable to his fans in his chosen career as a warden at the Fort Jackson prison.
Given the forlorn state many local boxers find themselves, this father of three can count his blessings to have a roof over his head and be able to provide for his family.
“I wanted to be a trainer after retiring but I changed my mind because of dirty politics in our boxing which I do not foresee ending anytime soon. I am content with where I am and I must also say that I have not left boxing entirely. We are busy introduce boxing in prison as a form of rehabilitation as we speak,” he said.

He cautioned current boxers to reinvest in themselves instead of being flashy and careless with money because a career in boxing is very short.
“During my boxing days I used to take the little money I earned and did things that were beneficial to my future, like I did a enrolled at the Academy of learning, did a First Aid Course and got my driver’s license to make it easy for me when applying for a job because I was aspiring to be a firefighter or paramedic.”
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