A
seem astounded by the news: On the 3rd June 2016,
angry growl. Judex Tshibanda established the boxing club in
Mohamed Ali died in Phoenix, United States as a result of a res-
1984 under the name "Olympiad Youth" after hanging up the
piratory failure. The King of the ring was 74 years old and had
gloves, but not before he won 2 titles of champion of Africa
spent 32 years fighting against Parkinson's disease. 32 years
in 1979 in Egypt and 1981 in Angola. His meeting with Moha-
t the Tata Raphaël stadium in Kinshasa, the thirty boxers,
mer street child starts air boxing to warm up. Then comes her
men, women and children who train almost every night
coach: "Left! Right-- right!’’. Rosette hits hard, letting out an
is the age that he was when he fought George Foreman, who
med Ali has perhaps contributed to his victories. "At the time
had only 24, on the 30th October 1974, in this same stadium. A
of the Battle of the Century, I was the youngest junior boxer
fight whose memory is still vivid in the minds of these boxers,
of the Boyoma neighborhood’s club. I used to accompany
although most of them are too young to have witnessed it. Here,
Mamba Shako and Mukanda Bilsuza, who worked as sparring
everyone claims the legacy of Mohamed Ali. For Safi Kikongo,
partners for Mohamed Ali. So I had the extraordinary oppor-
the new champion of Kinshasa, he is "an inspiration". For Jona-
tunity to attend his training! When I became a senior boxer,
than, who just got his bachelor degree and joined the club a
I trained using a rope like him". In 1995, Judex became the
week ago, "is a legend." Then he says, "it is when watching the
first coach to open his club to girls. "Mobutu had said that all
documentary "When we were kings ", dedicated to the Fight
the women had to work like men in every discipline in every
of the Century that I made the decision to become a boxer. His
area, so I told myself why not boxing!". Since 3 years, the club
death hurts a lot! We lost a great boxer. "
renamed "Mohamed Ali head held high" in 2009, as a tribute to the champion and following the visit of one of his daughters,
The fights and warm-ups keep coming amid a crowd of onloo-
also welcomes young children for educational boxing sessions.
kers. Among them, many came to observe the fierce Rosette
With 67 licensees of all ages, despite the serious lack of finan-
Ndongala, 23, Cameroon gold medalist at the 4th Junior
cial resources, succession seems guaranteed for Congolese
African Women's Championship, distinguishing herself from
boxing. And with the death of his idol, Judex begins to dream
others with her muscular figure distinguishes which proves
of a great commemorative event directing international spot-
the seriousness of her training. With her stern face, this for-
lights on Kinshasa ... "with the help of the US Embassy".
Des boxeurs congolais du club « La Tête Haute de Mohamed Ali », s'entrainent au stade Tata Raphael à Kinshasa, capital de la République démocratique du Congo. Congolese boxers of the club " La tête haute de Mohamed Ali ", are exercising at the Tata Raphael stadium in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
junior, dont la musculeuse silhouette la distingue et prouve le
comme lui ». En 1995, il est le premier coach à ouvrir son club
sérieux de son entrainement. Le visage sévère, cette ancienne
aux filles. « Mobutu avait dit que toutes les femmes devaient
enfant des rues boxe dans le vide. Puis son coach arrive :
travailler comme les hommes, dans toutes les discipline, dans
« Gauche ! Droite-droite ! » Rosette cogne dur, en laissant
tous les domaines, alors moi je me suis dit pourquoi pas la
échapper un grognement rageur. Judex Tshibanda a créé le
boxe ! ». Depuis 3 ans, le club, renommé « La Tête Haute de
club de boxe en 1984, sous le nom de « Jeunesse Olympiade »,
Mohamed Ali » en 2009, en l'honneur du champion et suite à la
après avoir raccroché les gants, mais pas avant d'avoir décro-
visite d'une de ses filles, accueille également de jeunes enfants
ché 2 titres de champion d'Afrique, en 1979, en Egypte, et en
pour des sessions de boxe éducative. Avec 67 licenciés de tous
1981, en Angola. Sa rencontre avec Mohamed Ali y a peut-être
âges, malgré le manque criant de moyens, la relève semble
contribué. « À l'époque du Combat du Siècle, j'étais le plus
assurée pour la boxe kinoise. Et avec la mort son modèle, Ju-
jeune boxeur junior du club du quartier Boyoma. J'accom-
dex se prend à rêver d'un grand événement commémoratif qui
pagnais Mamba Shako et Mukanda Bilsuza, qui travaillaient
braquerait de nouveaux les projecteurs du monde entier sur
comme sparing partners pour Mohamed Ali. J'ai donc eu la
Kinshasa... « avec l'aide de l'ambassade américaine ».
chance extraordinaire d'assister à ses entrainement ! Quand je suis devenu boxeur sénior, je me suis entrainé à la corde 58 I HAMAJI
Moses Muakwila, boxeur stars du club « La Tête Haute de Mohamed Ali » Moses Muakwila, star boxer of the club « La tête haute de Mohamed Ali ».
Dieudonné, 18 ans, boxeur depuis 2003 Dieudonné, 18, boxer since 2003.
HAMAJI I 59