If Johannesburg-based Eastern Cape boxer Sikho ‘Sequence’ Nqothole had his way, his bout against Briton Charlie Edwards would be fought right in the centre of the ring because he wouldn’t like chasing his opponent around.
However, that’s just wishful thinking on his part as anything happens when a boxer wants to win a fight as Nqothole clashes with Edwards in an International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior-bantamweight elimination bout at the York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, on Friday evening.
“It’s gonna be a good fight. I’m praying that he doesn’t run around the ring because it’s gonna be a boring fight if he does that. We must box and hit each other hard,” Nqothole, a father of two, said.
Nqothole goes to the fight carrying a professional record of 21 victories with 13 knockouts, three losses and a draw. On the other hand, Edwards, a former World Boxing Council (WBC) flyweight titlist, has a professional record of 21 wins with seven stoppages and two defeats.
The winner of this bout will challenge for the IBF title currently held by Willibaldo Garcia Perez from Mexico. Garcia is scheduled to defend his title against Australian Andrew Moloney in Aichi, Japan, on Saturday, 6 June.
Meanwhile, Mthatha-born Nqothole will be led to war by his trainer Phumzile Matyila together with Bernie Pailman while Edwards, who lives in Portugal together with his wife and daughter, will be ushered into war by Stephen Smith. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
