Okolo reclaims pride to earn call to face WBC champion Kriel

ONE man’s loss is another’s gain, so goes the saying.

This cannot be truer for two Port Elizabeth boxers, Siphosethu Ncisane and Thembani Okolo.

Going to a tournament in Willowvale a fortnight ago, the two boxers’ careers were travelling in opposite directions.

Ncisane had landed the biggest fish, with a date against current WBC silver mini-flyweight champion Deejay Kriel under the bright lights of Emperors Palace on October 21.

He only needed to get past Loyiso Ngantweni, who entered the ring with only four wins and 13 losses for their Willowvale fight.

On the other hand, Okolo was smarting from a loss to Siphamandla Baleni in an SA title challenge bout, and was therefore eager to get back into the win column.

After the Willowvale mission the two boxers left with divergent paths, with Ncisane having been stunningly knocked out by Ngantweni, while Okolo dominated Sebolomzi Mzimela for his win.

A day later Okolo received the call to face Kriel, while Ncisane was left licking his wounds.

“This boy is okay and he will be a good test for Kriel,” said fight promoter Rodney Berman when presented with Okolo’s name.

However, due to his relatively short career, Okolo could not be rubber stamped by the WBC to contest for its silver belt.

“We will reduce the fight into an eight rounder,” said Berman.

Getting the fight at such short notice does not concern the Okolo camp at all.

This is surprising given the fact Nkosinathi Joyi turned down the fight when he had over four weeks to prepare, citing short notice, before Ncisane was approached to serve as a replacement.

The fight will form part of the Featherweight Super 4 series. — Boxing Mecca