He turned professional in Feb. of 1993 and got off to a quick start in South Africa, going 5-0 winning all 5 by knockout. He then traveled to the United States hoping to get some bigger recognition, and face off against tougher competition.
His winning ways continued as he fought in different states around the USA, and began to get notice as a heavyweight to watch. Courage was 11-0 before tasting his first decision victory, August 1995 in Albuquerque, New Mexico against Houston's Carl McGrew. He won via unanimous decision, but McGrew made it tough for Tshabalala.
His next fight was also a decision win, against Jessie Henry in Atlantic City, and suddenly, the "South African Knockout Machine" had back-to-back decision wins on his record. He was still undefeated though, and stood at 13-0, 11 KO, and his name was still buzzing in the boxing world.
Courage bounced back with a pair of knockout wins, and everything seemed to be "back on track" for the heavyweight prospect. But in May of 1996, Tshabalala was taken to a Split Decision victory against journeyman Tim Noble who had a 7-9 record. The Judges had it 78-73 for Tshabalala, 78-73 for Noble, and the deciding Judge had 76-75 for Tshabalala whose undefeated record remained intact by a single point!
Tshabalala ran off 3 more knockout wins against fighters with a combined record of 16-14, and it was felt by his managers that it was time to step him up in quality of opposition. It was time to "make the move" into contention.
Tshabalala would next face the very respected Brian Scott (21-3) in a bout that was televised nationally in the USA. The fight took place at the Convention Center in Atlantic City, and was expected to be a "showcase" bout for the powerful South African KO machine, but Scott was not impressed, and was ready for Tshabalala, stopping Courage in round 2. It was Tshabalala's first loss, and he took it graciously, but now with a shocking knockout loss in what was considered a pretty major upset, his career was on an uncertain trajectory.
Courage was put in easy to get his winning ways back on track and he had no problem knocking out 7-13 Stanley Hughey. His managers felt confident that if they could get him in against a fellow prospect/contender, he would shine, and the loss to Scott would be all but forgotten.
June of '97 found Courage "No Limit" Shabalala being tested at a high level again, this time it was against the powerhouse - Darroll Wilson (18-1-2). This showdown took place at The Blue Horizon in Philadelphia, PA. Wilson was considered a little more dangerous than Brian Scott was going in. And it turns out he was. In what was a great war that saw Wilson go down in rounds 1 & 3, he (Wilson) came off the deck to stop Tshabalala in round 4 of a red-hot slugfest.
This 2nd loss was a pretty heavy set-back for Tshabalala. He would be put in with some good journeymen opponents in his next 3 fights: 79 fight veteran - Danny Wofford, Rugged Tony LaRosa (24-11), and Joe Ballard (12-3). Courage knocked all 3 out and again, was put in with a face-off bout against another fighter that looked like an up-and-comer when he traveled to Russia to square off with Oleg Maskaev (12-2, 8 KO). This time Courage made it to round 9, but was stopped in that round by the heavy handed Russian.
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| Tshabalala's showdown with Oleg Maskaev in Russia. |
Courage was now 23-3, and even though some of the luster had come off of that shiny coating, he was still considered as a man that could one day threaten for a title belt. He struggled to win a split decision over 6 rounds against tough journeyman Lenzie Morgan (14-25-3).
He then scored 2 quick knockout wins, and then finished his career with a final showdown against another highly regarded prospect in Robert Wiggins (19-4-1). It was a bruising fight for 4 rounds, and Tshabalala was not able to come out for round 5. In an exciting career that spanned about 12 years, Tshabalala is remembered as the hard punching warrior who never got a shot at a title of any kind! He finished with a record of 26-4, winning 22 by knockout! Courage is a highly respected member of the boxing community, and remains active in the sport he loves. His humble attitude about his whole boxing experience brings a smile to boxing fans world wide.
Check out his record on Boxrec.com: Professional Record of COURAGE TSHABALALA
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