SIBIYA BEATS COVID-19
Siyabuswa-born boxer Koos Sibiya has faced a deadly invisible foe and emerged victorious in his battle against the coronavirus.
The coronavirus put paid to Sibiya’s chances of fighting for the African Boxing Union (ABU) junior-lightweight title against Anthony Maloisane in early December.
Sibiya tested positive of COVID-19 three days before he was due to fight against Maloisane in Kroonstad in the Free State.
Maloisane ended up fighting against Malawian boxer Romeo Makwakwa in a
rematch of their July 2019 fight. Maloisane avenged that defeat by stopping Makwaka.
‘‘I went for the test on the eighth and on the ninth the results showed that I had tested positive. I went to isolation for 10 days,
and results came back negative after that. Even though it cost me time and money, I’m thankful to God,’’ he said.
Sibiya, who is the first boxer to go public with his coronavirus status, is hoping to get fights next year, especially if the COVID-19
pandemic has subsided.