By Monwabisi Jimlongo
Veteran boxing trainer Spokes Witbooi is relieved now that they know the identity of his boxer Yanga ‘Showtime’ Sigqibo’s opponent.
Sigqibo is going to face Filipino boxer Jerald Paclar in a World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Intercontinental junior-bantamweight title at the Boardwalk Hotel and Casino in Gqeberha on Saturday, 24 April.
This is going to be on the undercard of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior-flyweight elimination bout between Sivenathi ‘Special One’ Nontshinga and Filipino boxer Christian ‘The Bomb’ Araneta.
Initially, Sigqibo was set to fight against Mexican boxer Alejandro Espinoza Tinoco. However, Tinoco pulled out because of another commitment.
“We are relieved now that we know who our opponent is. It was difficult to prepare Yanga properly as we didn’t know who he was going to fight against. Preparing for the unknown is very difficult,” said Witbooi.
“At least, we have ample time to prepare for the fight. We know what to do now. No more general training from us. I can promise boxing lovers that we are going to give a very good performance during the fight.”
Sigqibo has been training very hard since the beginning of the year after it was announced that he was going to challenge reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) bantamweight champion Nordine Oubaali from France. But that fight fell through with Oubaali, who is of Moroccan descent, changing opponents more than twice.
Sigqibo has not fought since he stopped Filipino boxer Cris Paulino in March 2020 while Tinoco had three fights last year.
