A date for Mthatha-born boxer Sikho Nqothole’s fight against former World Boxing Council (WBC) flyweight champion and Briton Charlie Edwards has finally been set.
Nqothole faces Edwards in an International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior-bantamweight elimination bout at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, in the United Kingdom on Friday, 29 May.
“I am so excited about the fight. I have been waiting for this opportunity. I believe it’s the right time and now I just need to get in the ring and put on a show. His style is not that difficult. If I can take his movement away. The fight will be easier for me,” Nqothole remarked.
Nqothole’s trainer Phumzile Matyhila, who is a former South African bantamweight champion, said: “Edwards is a talented fighter, a former world champion, but I don’t see him beating Nqothole.”
And Nqothole’s promoter Larry Wainstein from Boxing 5 Promotions has expressed his confidence about the boxer pulling off a major upset in the UK.
“Look, I have always thought that Sikho has tremendous talent and is world class. I think he gets an impressive win if the judging is fair and might even be able to stop Edwards with his neat boxing ability,” Wainstein said.
Nqothole will go to the fight carrying a record of 21 wins with three knockouts and three losses. Edwards, on the other hand, has a professional record of 21 victories, seven stoppages and two defeats.
The winner of this bout will fight against whoever wins between current champion Willibaldo Garcia from Mexico and Australian opponent Andrew Moloney. Garcia and Moloney are going to meet in Japan in June.
