Even though he has lost a reigning South African champion, Lonwabo Witbooi is still going to be the busiest trainer between late November and the first weekend of December as three of his boxers’ title fights at provincial and national level have been confirmed.
Witbooi will man the corners of Aphiwe Boyiya, Hlumelo Gingxana and Ziviwe Ntobongwana at the Nangoza Jebe Hall in New Brighton, Gqeberha, on Saturday, 29 November.
Boyiya clashes with Sibusiso Zingange in a vacant SA junior-welterweight title contest while Gingxana will challenge Eastern Cape lightweight champion Siseko Makeleni in the main supporting bout and Ntobongwana faces Lisakhanya Marenene in a four rounder.
A week later, Witbooi will usher Seymour-born Sharadene Fortuin into war when she defends her SA female bantamweight title against Babalwa Nonqonqotho at the Kenilworth Racecourse in Cape Town.
“Three of my boxers, Boyiya, Gingxana and Ntobongwana, are fighting in Gqeberha on the 29th of November. And Sharadene will fight in Cape Town on the sixth of December,” Witbooi said.
Meanwhile, Witbooi has confirmed that current SA female junior-lightweight champion Nozipho Bell, who’s going to defend her title against Bernice Ferreira at Silver Lakes Farm in Pretoria on Saturday, 8 November, has bolted out of his stable.
“Bell has left our stable and is working with other people in Gqeberha,” Witbooi confirmed.
Bell from Walmer in Gqeberha relocated to East London and joined Witbooi’s gym in January last year. She fought twice under Witbooi, winning against Abongile Lubambo in March this year and losing to Russian boxer Albina Moldazhanova two months ago. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
