With a fight against Lindelani Sibisi having failed so far, Lindokuhle Khuzwayo is now scheduled to defend his International Boxing Organisation (IBO) All-Africa featherweight title against Sabelo Ndwandwe in Sandton, Johannesburg, on Saturday, 25 July.
And Maphumulo-born Khuzwayo fully understands why current South African featherweight champion Sibisi didn’t take his challenge for a fight that the KwaZulu-Natal boxing family has tried to avoid for some time.
Sibisi from Dundee in KwaZulu-Natal is fresh from a first successful defence of his national title following a unanimous decision win over Bongani Fule at the Jan Smuts Stadium in KuGompo City almost two weeks ago.
“I wouldn’t say he’s running away from me. I think they wanna go for a voluntary defence because they are in a voluntary space now,” Khuzwayo said.
Khuzwayo, who celebrates his 23rd birthday in August, won the All-Africa featherweight title after he stopped Nigerian opponent Riliwan Owolabi Lawal in the second round last November.
Next month’s fight will put two unbeaten boxers against each other. Khuzwayo has seven wins, five stoppages and a draw while Ndwandwe has won his four fights with one of those victories being a stoppage. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
