Things are looking good for Mdantsane boxer Siyakholwa Kuse as he’s inching closer to fighting for the World Boxing Council (WBC) strawweight title currently held by Melvin Jerusalem from the Philippines.
The WBC has sanctioned an elimination bout between Kuse and Filipino boxer Joey Canoy. This shootout is set for July at the Emperor’s Palace in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni.
“The WBC Silver committee is pleased to sanction the Silver strawweight defence of Siyakholwa Kuse and Joey Canoy for both the Silver title and WBC final eliminator at the Emperor’s Palace in South Africa,” a letter from Michael George, the chairperson of the WBC Silver Championship committee, said.
Canoy will be making his fifth visit to South Africa having lost to Nhlanhla Tyirha in May 2021, Nkosinathi Joyi in December 2019 and Hekkie Budler in February 2017.
His fight against former International Boxing Organisation (IBO) minimumweight champion Simphiwe Konkco was declared a no contest in December 2018 following a clash of heads.
The 31-year-old Canoy is a formidable opponent, who’s rated by the WBC, World Boxing Association (WBA), International Boxing Federation (IBF) and the World Boxing Organisation (WBO).
He’s third in both the WBC and the IBF, rated 13th by the WBA and the WBO rates him in eighth spot. On the other hand, Kuse, who turns 26 on Monday next week, is rated number two by the WBC.
Meanwhile, Kuse’s fight against another Filipino boxer Samuel Salva, which is scheduled for the Emperor’s Palace on Saturday, 31 May, is still on. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
