By Monwabisi Jimlongo
Negotiations are still continuing between Colin ‘Nomakanjani’ Nathan and Matchroom managing director Eddie Hearn over the International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior-lightweight elimination bout between Azinga ‘Golden Boy’ Fuzile and Martin Ward from the United Kingdom.
The winner of the Fuzile-Ward fight will challenge whoever wins between Tajikistan boxer Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov and Kenichi Ogawa from Japan. Rakhimov and Ogawa are going to fight for the vacant IBF junior-lightweight title. The title became vacant after Joseph Diaz from the United States lost it on the scales on the eve of his fight against Rakhimov in February. The Diaz-Rakhimov fight ended in a draw.
“I’m still negotiating with Eddie Hearn at the moment. Things are going smoothly. We still have a few stumbling blocks here and there, we will get over them,” Nathan, who manages Fuzile, said.
“Speaking to the promoter and they were looking at May. Again, it’s up to Matchroom and obviously the TV dates there. So, we are looking at taking the fight abroad. Potentially, America as well, depending on the situation. Right now we just have to agree on terms. There’s a few hurdles I have to get over, but I’m sure we will make the fight happen.”
The award-winning Nathan has no doubt in his mind that Fuzile, who left Hot Box Gym and rejoined his former trainer Mzamo ‘Chief’ Njekanye in February, wants the fight in his bid to challenge for the world title.
“I’m sure Azinga Fuzile wants the fight as well. Martin Ward, I don’t mean to disrespect him, is the warm-up fight to whoever wins between Ogawa and Rakhimov,” Nathan said.
Meanwhile, Nathan has commended the work being done by Thembani Gopheni in preparing his son Sivenathi ‘Special One’ Nontshinga for the IBF junior-flyweight elimination bout against Christian ‘The Bomb’ Araneta from the Philippines.
Unbeaten Nontshinga is going to face Araneta at the Boardwalk Hotel and Casino in Gqeberha on Saturday, 24 April.
“I have a soft spot for Nontshinga. His father is doing a wonderful job. I expect a lot of great things from him. I will stand by him and give him all the support he needs,” Nathan said.
