After surviving a serious health scare following his loss to current International Boxing Organisation (IBO) junior-bantamweight champion Ricardo Malajika in August last year, Yanga ‘Showtime’ Sigqibo is finally returning to action.
Sigqibo was rushed to Arwyp Medical Centre in Kempton Park after he collapsed inside the change room following an 11th round stoppage loss to Malajika at the Emperors Palace. And because he was reportedly bleeding on the brain, Sigqibo spent three days in hospital under the watchful eyes of specialist doctors.
Now the Duncan Village-born Sigqibo will make a ring come back when he fights against Msabaha Salumu Msabaha from Tanzania at the Orient Theatre in East London on Sunday, 31 August.
Initially, the 31-year-old Sigqibo was billed to face off against Shomari Pendeza, who’s also from Tanzania. However, the opponent was changed after Pendeza couldn’t secure a passport timeously.
Confirming the fight, Tanzanian trainer, boxer and matchmaker Innocent Evarist Mwacha said: “Shomari Pendeza’s passport has delayed. Now we are taking Msabaha Salumu Msabaha to fight against Yanga Sigqibo. This is the third time now Yanga fights against my boys. The last time he faced my boy was when he fought against Luqman Ngambongali in an IBF bout.”
Sigqibo, a former South African junior-bantamweight champion, will be ushered into battle by his new trainer Mzamo ‘Chief’ Njekanye. He will take a record of 18 wins with five stoppages, three losses and a draw to the fight.
On the other hand, Msabahu, who has not fought since his win over Abdallah Hassan in June last year, has a professional record of 13 victories with four knockouts, three defeats and a draw. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
Pro boxer