Even though Siphesihle Sityo’s trainer said that he didn’t develop cold feet as he declined to fight against Siyakholwa Kuse, Kholisile Cengani did admit, though, that they turned down an offer to face the South African champion.
Rated number one in the current minimumweight ratings, Sityo was offered an opportunity to challenge Mdantsane-born Kuse next month. Kuse is due for his first defence of the title he won after he outpointed Bangile Nyangani at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in East London in July last year.
“We declined the offer because we felt it was short notice. We wouldn’t have had enough time to prepare for the SA title. It would have been unfair to take the fight while we knew we were not gonna be ready,” Cengani remarked.
Sityo changed camps when he left Mapetla Mzamo to rejoin boxing returnee Cengani, who returned to training boxers after he had turned his back on the fistic sport last year.
The Eastern Cape minimumweight champion rejoined Cengani two weeks after he defeated Zukisa Mafu by a fourth round technical knockout at the Whittlesea Multipurpose Hall in Sada last month.
Sityo has won eight bouts and has five knockouts, one loss and a draw. On the other hand, Kuse has registered six victories with three stoppages, two defeats and a draw. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
