Lindelani Sibisi would return to fight at the Orient Theatre in East London again if he had his way following his victory which ended Zolisa Batyi’s almost two-and-a-half-year reign as a reigning South African featherweight champion.
After a beautiful and dominant performance which silenced the Orient Theatre, Sibisi stopped Batyi in the 10th round to become the new SA featheweight champion on Sunday evening.
Using his right hand effectively, Sibisi dropped Batyi three times – once in the ninth and twice in the 10th round signalling the end of Batyi’s reign as a champion which began when he stopped Jeff Magagane in the second round in Seshego, Polokwane, in December 2022.
“I would love to come back to the Orient Theatre. People from East London really love boxing. It makes more sense for me to win away from home. Anyone who wins away from home is a true champion,” Sibisi remarked.
The Dundee-born new champion added: “The fight went very well. I didn’t expect it to be as difficult as it was. Batyi showed that he was the champion. I was then forced to work very hard to win the fight and I’m very happy to have won.”
Following the win, Sibisi has improved his record to nine wins with eight knockouts and two losses while Batyi dropped to 10 victories, three losses and a draw. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
