Eastern Cape boxer, Hlumelo Gingxana, has emerged as the key figure in the proposed South African lightweight title fight between reigning champion, Khaya Busakwe, and Siyabulela Hem.
Only a step aside letter from Gingxana, the current International Boxing Organisation (IBO) All-Africa lightweight titlist, can ensure that Hem realises his dream of challenging Busakwe at KuGompo City’s Selborne Park on Saturday next week.
“The Busakwe, Hem fight can’t be sanctioned as an SA title fight since both have mandatory defences due on their respective titles,” Boxing South Africa (BSA) sanctioning committee acting chairperson, Droeks Malan, said.
“There must either be step aside letters from the respective mandatory challengers or either or both of them must vacate their titles. If Busakwe’s mandatory challenger does not step aside and he vacates, it would, therefore, not be an SA title fight. Busakwe requires a step aside letter from his mandatory challenger, Hlumelo Gingxana.”
Malan said on Hem’s title: “The mandatory challenger for Hem’s junior-featherweight title, Mlata has indicated that they are not stepping aside. Therefore, Hem must either fight Mlata or vacate and then Mlata will fight the next highest ranked available contender for the vacant title.”
Meanwhile, Ink Sport has it on good authority that Hem’s handlers have already approached Team Gingxana, begging for a step aside letter.
However, Gingxana’s handlers have asked Team Hem to put their commitments in writing and also ask Busakwe to write a letter promising to defend against the boxer trained by Lonwabo Witbooi before a step aside letter could be issued. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
