By Monwabisi Jimlongo
Nhlanhla ‘Mount Kilimanjaro’ Tyirha thought he was going to make a ring return and defend his World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Global junior-flyweight title against Filipino boxer Miel ‘Silent Assassin’ Fajardo, only to discover that they are going to fight for another crown.
Tyhirha and Fajardo will battle it out for the vacant WBO Intercontinental junior-flyweight title at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in East London on Friday, 16 June.
“I’m very happy that my fight has been approved by the WBO. This shows that we are heading in the right direction. My coach is also happy with the latest development,” Tyirha, who is trained by Khangelani Jack, said.
This fight is going to be the main supporting bout to Sivenathi ‘Special One’ Nontshinga’s International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior-flyweight title defence against mandatory challenger Regie Suganob from the Philippines.
Tyirha is rated sixth by both the World Boxing Council (WBC) and the IBF while he is 12th on the World Boxing Association (WBA) ratings and the WBO rates him in seventh spot.
On the other hand, the 23-year-old Fajardo is a formidable opponent, who is rated seventh by the WBA. Fajardo has an impressive record of 10 victories (nine stoppages), a defeat and two draws.
