After 12 seasons on air, Mzansi Magic’s reality dating show Date My Family has seen all sorts of South Africans. Now, the show has added renowned bare-knuckle fighter and esteemed boxing coach Simon “Silverback” Domingos to its Hall of Fame. The popular reality show is known for its unique premise that sees searching singles meeting potential partners’ families without seeing the partners they choose before making a decision. Choices are based on how well the family represents their singles and how the person visiting each family feels about them.
So, why would a boxing coach go this route to find love? What made you decide to turn to a show like this to achieve your goal of finding love?
“I felt like I was failing to find love on my own,” Domingos explains. “I am not sure if I was looking for it in the wrong places or trying to find it in the wrong people, so I thought, ‘let me try and leave it to fate and try my hand at finding love on a TV show.'”
What are you looking for in a partner?
“I want someone caring, loving, and understanding,” Domingos says. “I want a partner. I am not looking for just anybody, I need my partner to be my best friend, the person I want to tell everything to – small or big. That’s something that is really important to me.”
What are your icks/turnoffs?
A smoker is a massive turn-off for me,” Domingos says. “A woman who smokes cigarettes and has cigarette breath is my worst thing. I also hate a liar – especially if it is unnecessary lies. I feel like it’s so important to just be honest with me. I am that guy who will accept you as you are and be honest with you as well, so liars are a huge turn-off for me.”
Why do you believe you have been unsuccessful at finding long-term partners in other ways so far?
“I’ll be honest, I am a very picky person,” Domingos admits. “As much as love isn’t all about physical attraction, it’s still very important to me. As a boxer, I also take a lot of pride in looking after my body and would want someone who understands that as well.”
Is there someone out there that believes they’re in a relationship with you? (With shows like this, people are on screen only for their significant others to come forward and say they were blindsided by them appearing on the show or that they knew all along and the person presented it as an opportunity for fame.)
“I hope not!” Domingos exclaims.
What does a potential partner need to understand about your career?
“My potential partner needs to understand that I am a fighter,” Domingos explains. “I have been fighting my whole life. Jumping in the ring is nothing new to me. It’s something I am so passionate about, and I hope to keep doing it for a very long time. Another thing, I don’t bring my job home. I love fighting, but when I am home, my partner would know that I am a teddy bear.”
What is your Plan B if Date My Family doesn’t bring results for you in terms of finding love?
“I am willing to try it all,” Domingos says. “If Date My Family doesn’t work out, put me on Love Island, throw me on Big Brother and lock me in the house with strangers and see if I fall in love because I have tried to find love the traditional way.”
