A former world champion from Indonesia has ‘chickened out’ and decided against facing Nhlanhla ‘Mount Kilimanjaro’ Tyirha without giving any reasons.
Tibo Monabesa, real name Tiburtius Besa, is an erstwhile International Boxing Organisation (IBO) junior-flyweight titlist who was due to face Tyirha in October.
The 32-year-old Indonesian whose last fight was declared a no contest by the World Boxing Council (WBC) has, however, decided against fighting the former South African junior-flyweight champion.
Monabesa’s fight, which was held in Jakarta, Indonesia, in February this year, was reviewed by 10 independent judges who found out that Jayson Vayson from the Philippines should have been declared a winner of the WBC International junior-flyweight bout, which Indonesian judges had their countryman winning by a majority decision.
Two Indonesian judges had Monabesa winning the fight while a third had it as a draw even though their compatriot was dropped twice during the duel.
Meanwhile, fight organisers are now searching for an opponent, who will meet Tyirha in an International Boxing Federation (IBF) Intercontinental junior-flyweight in October.
Tyirha, who is trained by Khangelani Jack, has not fought since he defeated Filipino boxer Esneth Domingo in a 10 rounds bout at the East London International Convention Centre (ICC) three months ago.
