By Monwabisi Jimlongo
It looks like two-time South African champion Siphamandla ‘Toytoy’ Baleni will have to wait a little longer before getting an opportunity to attempt to regain the minimumweight title.
Rated number one in South Africa, Baleni submitted a challenge form to Boxing South Africa (BSA) challenging reigning minimumweight champion Siyakholwa Kuse.
But a fight against Kuse is not going to happen any time soon as the Mdantsane boxer is due to make a voluntary defence. And, instead of engaging in a voluntary defence, Kuse will fight for an African Boxing Union (ABU) minimumweight title in order to enhance his rating in the World Boxing Council (WBC).
Currently, the WBC rates Kuse in 13th spot – one place below the previous month’s rating. Kuse forced his way into the WBC ratings after he dethroned former SA minimumweight champion Bangile Nyangani at the East London International Convention Centre (ICC) two months ago.
“We sent a challenge form to BSA. And now we have heard that Kuse is going to fight soon,” Baleni’s manager Thembelani ‘Shakes’ Hlombe said.
Baleni, an erstwhile SA minimumweight and junior-flyweight titlist, last fought when he stopped Mzamo Makhipheni at East London’s Orient Theatre in December.
Baleni is yet to secure a fight since he moved from Xaba Boxing Club to reunite with Khangelani Jack at Paradise Boxing Club in Nxarhuni in January. Jack has since left Paradise Boxing Club for Rock Solid Boxing and Fitness Gym in Benoni, Ekurhuleni.
Currently, Baleni is rated in ninth spot by the WBC, eighth by the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and is in 10th place on the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) ratings.
Meanwhile, Baleni from Mthatha has a professional record of 21 wins (eight knockouts), five defeats and two draws.
