South Africa is mourning the death of former two-division (lightweight and super middleweight!) champion Dingaan Thobela, who died at ony fifty seven years old. Thobela, who fought on way too long, was found in his apartment in the Mayfair area of Johannesburg by friends and relatives. He had been in poor health for some time. Known and loved as ”The Rose of Soweto,” Dingaan was born in its Chiawelo district andgrew up there in poverty, but under the watchful eye of his grandmother. Following a very credible amateur career, Dingaan turned pro and built a fabulous career spanning from 1986 to 2006. Dingaan won the WBO lightweight crown from Antonio Rivera and then the WBA version on his second attempt. The first time he contested it, he lost on a hotly disputed decision to Tony Lopez. Undeterred, he persisted until he triumphed in a rematch. Unable to make lightweight any more Dingaan`s career languished and went into the doldrums as he drifted up boxing's weight classes.  The only person who was undaunted and refused to be downcast, give up and retire, was the man himself. He believed and in 2000, Dingaan won the WBC super middleweight crown from Britain`s Glen Catley with a twelfth-round KO.  After that glorious win, Thobela lost his first title defense and finished his career with seven straight losses. His final record is 40-14-2. Boxingtalk sends its sympathies to the friends and family of Dingaan Thobela.