Mabere’s long weight finally over
THE question mark over Nkosinathi “Mabere” Joyi’s weight ahead of his IBO mini-flyweight title clash against Simpiwe Konkco, has been put to rest.
Joyi faces Konkco for the title he previously held at Orient Theatre on Sunday. The fight will form part of the Golden Gloves Promotion show organised in association with SuperSport to pay homage to boxing legend Mzi Mnguni.
Before the fight was signed there were concerns over Joyi’s ability to make the mini-flyweight having not fought in the division since his points defeat by Hekkie Budler in 2013.
His two knockout defeats by Filipino Rey Loreto were in the junior-flyweight division so were his last two wins over Sinethemba Magibisela and Luyanda Nkwankwa.
Before signing to fight Konkco, Joyi was scheduled to face Fikile Mlonyeni also in the junior-flyweight division. But the 33-year-old Mdantsane southpaw has been maintaining that he is still a mini-flyweight boxer.
And he proved it this week when he weighed 47.76kg in the pre-medical for the fight.
The weight limit for the mini-flyweight is 47.43kg but Joyi was already a few kilograms away from the weight when a boxer in the pre-medical is allowed to be a division heavier. “I have been saying that my natural weight is the mini-flyweight but I was forced to fight in the junior-flyweight just to get action,” he said.
Joyi says he has long been in weight without even starving himself. “I eat my normal meals but still the weight does not bother me.”
After his first defeat by Loreto there were reports that he was struggling with weight leading to his then trainer, Gert Strydom, taking a swipe at Joyi’s then promoter Siphatho Handi for not ensuring the boxer had a good diet.
The fallout, which even roped in GGP boss Rodney Berman, led to Joyi severing ties with the Johannesburg promoter.
But Berman did not hesitate when he was offered Joyi’s name as a challenger to Konkco who is also promoted by him. Having proven that he is not struggling with weight, Joyi says all is left is to beat Konkco and regain his belt. “Konkco should now return my title.”