Reigning International Boxing Organisation (IBO) minimumweight champion Ayanda Ndulani has laughed off claims that he has changed stables.
The 31-year-old Ndulani has said that he has not cut ties with his trainer Kholisile ‘KC’ Cengani to join Xaba Boxing Academy. Ndulani was responding after it was claimed that he had joined forces with former South African junior-bantamweight titlist Miniyakhe Sityata and Mnyamezeli Shosha to prepare for the World Boxing Council (WBC) minimumweight elimination bout against Mexican Luis Castillo.
“It’s not true that I have left my trainer. I know nothing about having moved to Xaba Boxing Academy. I’m too old to move around changing stables. I have to focus in one place and Ngconde (Cengani) is everything to me. He is not only my trainer, he’s a parent and a friend, too,” Ndulani said.
Ndulani from Scenery Park in East London has insisted that Xaba Promotions boss Ayanda Matiti suggested that he must work with Sityata and Shosha while preparing for Castillo.
“What I do know, however, is that Leadership (Matiti) said that he was not happy with my trainer Xola Sifama. I agreed with him because there are times when I had disagreements with Sifama when training for fights. I want someone to be behind me 100 percent when I’m preparing for fights. I only agreed with Leadership that I will work with Miniyakhe not knowing that the arrangement was going to be interpreted as a move to the Academy,” Ndulani remarked.
Ndulani has insisted that he will continue working with both Cengani and Sityata as he’s preparing for probably the biggest fight of his boxing career.
“I only agreed to work with Miniyakhe just for this fight. I will have sessions with Miniyakhe and then also train with my coach Ngconde. We are going to have three sessions a day,” Ndulani said.
