South African champion Khaya Busakwe’s vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) Pan-African lightweight title contest against Ghanaian Gabriel Coffie is hanging in the balance.
This followed after Sinethemba Blom’s manager Lonki Witbooi wrote to Boxing South Africa (BSA) asking the regulator to force Busakwe to make a mandatory title defence against his boxer.
Witbooi submitted a challenge form to BSA in June challenging Busakwe to defend his SA lightweight title against Blom. Witbooi has had no joy since as Busakwe’s camp seemed to have ignored Blom’s challenge.
After seeing a poster which said that Busakwe was going to face Coffie, Witbooi approached BSA seeking the regulator’s intervention.
“We would like to acknowledge and appreciate the objection submitted to Boxing SA regarding the SA lightweight title. The committee has reviewed the matter and has decided to uphold the objection in accordance with regulation 17.3,” a letter from BSA sanctioning committee chairperson Dr Luvuyo Bayeni said.
“As a result, we have communicated to Busakwe’s team, reminding him of his obligations and presented him with two options, either to forfeit the SA title or defend before continuing with the WBA fight. We have also reached out to the promoter, offered him the opportunity to include the SA title defence in his upcoming tournament on the 14 September 2024, subject to the champion’s availability and agreement.”
The sanctioning committee has also given Busakwe from Central Western Jabavu in Soweto until 16h30 on Tuesday to accept or reject its proposal.
Meanwhile, Blom is currently rated number two in the lightweight division behind Kaine Fourie, who has shown no desire to challenge for the national title.
