Yanga ‘Showtime’ Sigqibo from Duncan Village in East London sees travelling to seek glory in Japan, the land of the rising sun, as necessary in his bid to become one of the world’s best boxers.
Sigqibo has a date with Japanese boxer and former world champion Kosei Tanaka at the Takeda Teva Ocean Arena in Nagoya, Japan, on Sunday, 11 December.
“Tanaka is an experienced boxer. We know his achievements. I’m motivated to fight against him,” the 28-year-old Sigqibo said.
Sigqibo has enjoyed a seven-year unbeaten streak having lost only to Ayanda Ndulani in October 2015. He has 17 wins (five stoppages), a loss and a draw.
This is arguably Sigqibo’s biggest fight ever as the 27-year-old Tanaka is a formidable opponent, who is a former World Boxing Organisation (WBO) minimumweight, junior-flyweight and flyweight titlist.
“This is a very big chance for me. I have always wanted this and is a real test for me. This fight is gonna give direction to my career on whether I’m going forward or not,” Sigqibo remarked.
Tanaka, a resident of Nagoya, has an impressive professional record having won 17 of his fights with 10 of those ending in knockouts against a single loss.
