Salute to SA Boxing great live on television
GOLDEN Gloves has simply labelled tomorrow’s tournament “The Tribute”, in honour of legendary boxing figure Mzi Mnguni.
With a compelling headliner – IBO minimumweight champion Simpiwe Konkco against Nkosinathi Joyi – and a high-quality undercard, it is apt homage to a giant of local boxing.
All the action from the Orient Theatre, East London’s famous boxing cathedral, will be broadcast live on SS7 from 2pm. In a first for boxing on SuperSport, there will be dual commentary in both English and isiXhosa.
As a manager and trainer, Mnguni produced multiple world and South African champions, among them Vuyani Bungu, Ncita, Zolani Petelo and Mbulelo Botile.
Joyi was one of his pupils too and the former IBF champion will be desperate to put on a show for the aging patriarch who is wheelchair-bound after a devastating car accident.
The Mdantsane fighter is a natural puncher who will be looking to claim local bragging rights. Konkco, in turn, is from Mthatha and enjoys solid support throughout the Eastern Cape.
The champion respectfully refers to Joyi as “Mabhere” – The Bear – on account of dominating the division during his prime five years ago. But that respect doesn’t extend to doing the southpaw any favours in the ringy.
“He’s a big name but he’s there to be beaten,” says Konkco, who recently relocated to Johannesburg where his career has since taken off.
“It’s an honour to be on this fight card when anyone else could have been chosen.”
Konkco is the form man. Last year he gave top-rated Hekkie Budler a furious challenge and more recently he saw off the claims of Siyabonga Siyo.
Five years ago Joyi was considered the best fighter at the weight but backto-back defeats to Rey Lereto stalled his momentum. He has, however, rebounded with two wins against local opposition and plans to use this opportunity to his advantage .
An All-Africa supermiddleweight fight between Lee Dyer and Giovanni Bushby, another Mnguni protégé, tops the undercard.
In other action, Lwandiso Zinto and Aphiwe Masengwana will contest the Eastern Cape featherweight title, plus there will be an exciting eightround strawweight bout between Ayanda Dulani and Xolisa Magusna and a four-round junior-bantamweight contest between talented Sipnamondla Mkhambaphi and Andile Nxayiphi. — DDC