Kwa-Zulu-Natal boxers are coming to KuGompo City’s Jan Smuts Stadium to conquer against their Eastern Cape opponents later this month, so said Syathaba Boxing Promotions boss Sandile Vilakazi.
The chairperson of the Kwa-Zulu-Natal Boxing Federation was referring to his boxer Sanele ‘Tornado’ Msimang, Nhlakanipho ‘GTI’ Kunene and Lindelani Sibisi, who are going to fight in KuGompo City on Saturday, 23 May.
Msimang will test his fistic skills against former South African and world champion Xolisani ‘Nomeva’ Ndongeni. Kunene has a date with Nhlanhla ‘Mount Kilimanjaro’ Tyirha in a vacant International Boxing Organisation (IBO) minimumweight title contest and Sibisi will try to make a successful first defence of his crown when he squares up against Bongani ‘King Killer’ Fule.
“It’s going to be a tough tournament, which is headlined by a fight between Nomeva and Tornado. Nomeva must be ready because Tornado is coming and is gonna turn the tables against him,” Vilakazi said.
“History is gonna repeat itself when Sibisi fights against Fule. Sibisi won the title in the Eastern Cape and I have no doubt that he’s gonna be too powerful for Fule. GTI is coming as an underdog, especially if you look at Tyirha’s record. However, in terms of talent, there’s no doubt about GTI. He’s going to cause all sorts of troubles for Tyirha.”
This tournament will serve as Ndongeni’s last dance as he’ll be lacing his gloves for the last time as a professional boxer. Ndongeni, an erstwhile SA junior-lightweight and lightweight titlist, has been fighting in the professional ranks since he made his debut in May 2010. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
