Joyi in search of a ring pot of gold
Veteran moves to Joburg in bid to get groove back
MDANTSANE boxing hero Nkosinathi “Mabhere” Joyi has finally found a new home in Johannesburg.
The 34-year-old former undisputed mini-flyweight champion left his Mdantsane home to go and try to resurrect his waning boxing career in the city of gold.
And after sending out fillers on the ideal club to join, Joyi finally settled with Kenneth Mabunda’s gymnasium.
His adviser Siyolo Dabula confirmed that Joyi will now train with the former Nick Durandt’s right-hand man.
“Yes we decided to join Mabunda because his style mesh with Joyi’s boxing and I believe he will be able to get the best out of him,” said Dabula.
It will be the second time Joyi links up with a Johannesburg trainer after a brief stint with Gert Strydom.
But their relations soured after Joyi’s stunning knockout defeat by Filipino journeyman Rey Loreto in Monaco.
He is now chasing for another bite at the big stage after failing to unseat former promotional stablemate Simpiwe Konkco in their thrilling bout for the IBO mini-flyweight crown in East London last December.
Joyi lost a unanimous points decision but not before pushing Konkco to the limit in a fight still widely seen as the best boxing match for the year.
The bout showed that Joyi was still a force to be reckoned with despite his two defeats by Loreto.
Joyi was first knocked out in four rounds in Monaco while under Strydom before Loreto repeated the feat at Mdantsane Indoor Centre with Boy Boy Mpulampula in his corner.
He rebounded to beat the late Sinethemba Magibisela and Luyanda Nkwankwa before taking Konkco to the deep waters.
Now he is chasing for another big fight with his sights set on WBC silver mini-flyweight champion Deejay Kriel who fights Thembelani Okolo of Port Elizabeth at Emperors Palace tomorrow.
In fact Okolo replaced Joyi who was initially offered the Kriel clash only to turn it down citing short notice.
Dabula said Joyi was still interested to face Kriel.
“Now that he has a trainer we will be pushing for the Kriel fight failing which we will take anyone coming our way,” he said.
“Joyi showed in the Konkco fight that he is far from being finished. He is a tough night out for anyone in the division.”
Joyi has lost just five times in 32 bouts and such resumé is still a respectable one.
He has never taken too much punishment so his body does not suffer from wear and tear.
Dabula said the announcement about Joyi’s next step would be made in due course.
Mabunda has trained a number of East London boxers including female boxer Unathi Myekeni.
He and Durandt forged a flourishing relationship which led to them producing several world, international and national champions than any other trainers in the land. — Boxing Mecca