Bernie Pailman has declined an offer for his fight-starved boxer Ronald Malindi to defend his South African bantamweight title later this month.
TK Boxing Promotions boss Tshele Kometsi offered Malindi a chance to defend against Rofhiwa Nemushungwa on Sunday, 29 May, but Pailman sneered at the offer citing short notice.
“We were offered the fight and I wasn’t happy to be given a fight for the 29th of May. It’s short notice. Two months would be okay and would give us more time to prepare for the fight,” Pailman said.
Strangely, Malindi, who has been an SA champion since September 2018, has differed with his trainer declaring his readiness to face Nemushungwa.
“I don’t have a problem with fighting Nemushungwa. He must stop dreaming because he will never beat me. The belt belongs to me and is not going anywhere. He has lost to people I have beaten,” Malindi said.
Malindi, who is unbeaten in 18 fights, last fought when he defended his title against Lwandile Sityatha in March 2020. Already, Malindi has defended his title three times.
Kometsi said: “It’s true that I offered Malindi a fight under GBPA and the opponent is ready. You will understand that Malindi was given 30 days until the 23rd of April. Malindi’s trainer has not agreed to take the fight.”
Meanwhile, Nemushungwa’s trainer Alan Toweel has said that the latest developments are unfair to his boxer as he’s being delayed.
“I got a call from TK offering us the fight against Malindi. We have agreed to fight against Malindi on the 29th of May. I have heard that Malindi’s trainer declined the offer. This is unfair to my boxer, he’s being delayed. This is frustrating,” Toweel said.
