Arthur Mayisela
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nicknames | The Fighting Prince The People's Champ |
| Nationality | South African |
| Born | Arthur Mayisela September 20, 1953 Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Died | September 17, 1986 (aged 32) South Africa |
| Weight | Super light Welterweight |
| Boxing career | |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 26 |
| Wins | 20 |
| Losses | 4 |
| Draws | 2 |
| No contests | 0 |
Arthur "The Fighting Prince" Mayisela (born 20 September 1953 – 17 September 1986) was a South African professional boxer who competed in the super light (Light welterweight) and welterweight divisions from 1980 to 1986.[1]
Early life
Mayisela was born in Soweto, a township southwest of Johannesburg, on 20 September 1953. Growing up under the oppressive laws of apartheid, he turned to the sport of boxing at a young age to navigate the harsh socio-economic conditions of the township.[2]
Professional career
Mayisela made his professional boxing debut on 22 March 1980, defeating Nkululeko Nkosi in Soweto.
Called "The People's Champ" by his loyal fans, Mayisela became a cultural and sporting figure during the apartheid era and a symbol of hope and unity for South Africa’s Black majority during a time of intense political and social unrest. In September 1982, Mayisela won the Transvaal Light Welterweight title by defeating Ernest Moledi. He went on to capture the South African Super Light Championship in February 1984 with a victory over Nkosana Mgxaji.
One of the highlights of his career occurred on 30 November 1985 at Sun City, where his opponent was the highly rated white South African prospect Brian Baronet. Baronet, who was on the verge of a world title shot, was handed a surprise defeat when Mayisela secured a high-profile victory, instantly elevating his status to a national sporting hero.[3]
Welterweight step-up
In June 1986, Mayisela stepped up to the welterweight division to challenge veteran champion Harold Volbrecht for the South African Welterweight Title, and the bout at Sun City ended in a draw when the two boxers accidentally bumped heads during the match, with Volbrecht suffering a cut on his forehead.[4] His final professional fight took place on 6 September 1986, where he secured a victory against Antonio Guerra at the Crown Mines Showgrounds in Johannesburg.
Death and legacy
Mayisela died on 17 September 1986, three days before his 33rd birthday, when he was killed in a tragic traffic accident. Mayisela is remembered for leveraging his platform to foster hope. During the heightened state of emergency and political violence in South Africa in the mid-1980s, his fights served as rare, cross-cultural gatherings where Black and white fans could temporarily transcend apartheid divisions to appreciate world-class athletics.[5]
Posthumous honors
In November 2021, the South African Presidency honored Mayisela's legacy by posthumously awarding him the Order of Ikhamanga (Silver).[6] The national order recognized his exceptional skill, his contribution to South African boxing, and his status as "The Fighting Prince" who brought joy to the masses during a bleak period in the nation's history.[7][8]
Professional boxing record
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Type | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 20–4–2 | Antonio Guerra | PTS | 6 Sep 1986 | Johannesburg, Gauteng | |
| Draw | 19–4–2 | Harold Volbrecht | PTS | 14 Jun 1986 | Sun City, North West | For South African Welterweight Title |
| Win | 19–4–1 | Pedro Avila | PTS | 15 Mar 1986 | Sun City, North West | |
| Loss | 18–4–1 | Brett Taylor | PTS | 8 Feb 1986 | Johannesburg, Gauteng | For South African Super Light Title |
| Win | 18–3–1 | Brian Baronet | PTS | 30 Nov 1985 | Sun City, North West | For South African Super Light Title |
| Win | 17–3–1 | Julius Mnwana | PTS | 23 Mar 1985 | Springs, Gauteng | For South African Super Light Title |
| Win | 16–3–1 | Stephen Balene | PTS | 16 Feb 1985 | Boksburg, Gauteng | |
| Win | 15–3–1 | Najib Daho | PTS | 25 Aug 1984 | Boksburg, Gauteng | |
| Win | 14–3–1 | Adolfo Omar Arce Rossi | PTS | 25 May 1984 | Springs, Gauteng | |
| Win | 13–3–1 | Nkosana Mgxaji | PTS | 18 Feb 1984 | East London, Eastern Cape | Won South African Super Light Title |
References
- ↑ "PRINCE DEDICATES FIGHT TO HIS NAMESAKE - Weekly SA Mirror". 2021-09-23. Retrieved 2026-07-15.
- ↑ "Shades of Mayisela in WBA Intercontinental champ Cafu". Sowetan. 2022-08-12. Retrieved 2026-07-15.
- ↑ africanring (2021-07-20). "BRIAN BARONET VS ARTHUR MAYISELA". African Ring. Retrieved 2026-07-15.
- ↑ "Sport & Note". www.sportenote.com. Retrieved 2026-07-15.
- ↑ Walt, Sarel van der. "Gewilde Mayisela 35 jaar ná sy dood postuum vereer". Netwerk24 (in Afrikaans). Retrieved 2026-07-15.
- ↑ "Presidency announces recipients of National Orders | South African Government". www.gov.za. Retrieved 2026-07-15.
- ↑ Payne, Suné (2021-11-10). "Justice Edwin Cameron, gospel star Rebecca Malope and boxer Arthur Mayisela among National Order recipients". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2026-07-15.
- ↑ "Recipients of National Orders named". Mossel Bay Advertiser. 2021-11-11. Retrieved 2026-07-15.
External links
- Boxing record for Arthur Mayisela from BoxRec (registration required)