Anyone who thought that Aphiwe ‘Swagger’ Boyiya’s fight against Kutlwano Ogaketse might be postponed for the umpteenth time must relax as the boxer is on his way to Gaborone where he will face off against the Botswana national.
Boyiya from Amalinda in KuGompo City clashes with Ogaketse in a vacant International Boxing Organisation (IBO) Africa junior-welterweight title contest at the Protea Hotel Marriott on Friday.
An erstwhile South African junior-featherweight and junior-lightweight titlist, Boyiya flew out of King Phalo Airport in KuGompo City on Wednesday morning accompanied by his manager, Kholisile ‘KC’ Cengani, and trainer, Lonwabo ‘Lonki’ Witbooi.
“We are very happy that everything has been confirmed and the fight is on. We are on our way to Botswana now,” a relieved Cengani said.
Boyiya and Ogaketse were initially set to test each other’s boxing skills in April, but their duel got postponed to May, only for it to be cancelled at the last minute. It got rescheduled for September and then postponed yet again.
The former International Boxing Federation (IBF) Youth junior-lightweight champion will be fighting for the first time in almost two years. Boyiya has not fought since he outpointed Lindokuhle Dlamini at the Orient Theatre, KuGompo City, in November 2024. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
