The Eastern Cape lightweight title fight between current champion Siseko Makeleni and Hlumelo Gingxana, which was set for the King Hintsa FET College in Dutywa on Saturday next week is not going to take place.
This followed after Makeleni told his manager Thembelani ‘Shakes’ Hlombe that he can’t honour his contract with Isizwe Boxing Promotions as he is not well. This has left Isizwe Boxing Promotions boss Ntsikayezwe Sigcawu scratching his head as he searches for an opponent for Gingxana.
“Makeleni has told me that he’s got swollen legs and won’t be able to fight next week. I have since advised him to go see a doctor who will examine him. I also advised him to get a doctor’s certificate and then send it to me,” Hlombe said.
The Makeleni-Gingxana fight was beset with problems from the word go. This was after it was discovered that Makeleni, who had left East London for his Mthatha home, was not training. However, his handlers had hoped that he would start camp in East London earlier this week something which never happened until Makeleni informed Hlombe about his leg problems.
Makeleni is yet to fight since losing to Kaine Fourie in an International Boxing Federation (IBF) Africa lightweight title contest at the Box Camp Booysens, Johannesburg, in July last year.
Sigcawu said: “Makeleni is not serious about boxing, maybe he wants to quit the sport. Why did he sign a contract when he knew that he was not gonna take the fight? Now I’m looking for a replacement.” – Monwabisi Jimlongo
