By Monwabisi Jimlongo
It’s going to be redemption time for Ayabonga ‘Jay Jay’ Sonjica when he squares up against Malawian Grey Chimkwapulo at the East London International Convention Centre (ICC) on Friday, 16 June.
This fight will give Duncan Village-born Sonjica an opportunity to win back the hearts of his fans after he was stunned by Bongani Mahlangu right in front of them at the Orient Theatre in East London last July. The 43-year-old Mahlangu stopped Sonjica in the sixth round to claim the South African and International Boxing Federation (IBF) Africa junior-featherweight titles.
“I have no problem in fighting against anyone. My management felt this fight is needed, especially after what happened last year. After this fight, I won’t mind taking anyone who is willing to face me,” the 2012 Olympian said.
This shouldn’t be a difficult assignment for the 31-year-old Sonjica as Chimkwapulo goes into the fight following two back-to-back defeats with his last loss coming from a World Boxing Federation (WBF) Intercontinental junior-featherweight title contest against Sanele Magwaza in Gqeberha last month.
Sonjica, a 2018 Male Prospect of the Year winner, has a professional record of 10 wins with eight stoppages and a loss while Chimkwapulo has won five fights (three stoppages) and lost three times.
