‘Nomeva’ looking to fight off cobwebs with bout in EL
XOLISANI “Nomeva” Ndongeni could make a surprise return to the ring in a tournament in East London this month.
Boxing Mecca has learnt from reliable sources that moves were afoot to feature Ndongeni in one of the big tournaments scheduled in the city for the month.
But his handlers could not confirm or deny the reports.
However, Ndongeni and his handlers are understood to have held negotiations with at least one promoter to feature him in his tournament.
“Yes Nomeva personally approached the promoter to ask him to feature him in his tournament so that he can get some activity,” the deep throat revealed.
Ndongeni left for US amid fanfare to join Floyd Mayweather Gymnasium in Las Vegas in September.
However, he could not get into the thick of the action as fights kept being postponed.
When the proposed bout scheduled for last month did not take place, Ndongeni returned home, although he told Boxing Mecca that his return was only temporary.
He said he would return to the US next month.
One of his handlers revealed that Ndongeni was earmarked to feature in the big Las Vegas show on January 20 when he headlines the bill in a match-up against IBF welterweight champion Erroll Spence.
The show will be carried by Showtime which is reportedly reluctant to put Ndongeni on any card because he has not fought for over a year.
Ndongeni last fought in November last year when he beat Mexican Juan Garcia Mendez in his US debut.
Since then he has been sent from pillar to post with promised fights failing to materialise.
This eventually resulted in him leaving Johannesburg handlers, trainer Colin Nathan and promoter Rodney Berman.
The opportunity to train in Mayweather gymnasium was seen as the beginning of a career revival.
But, his handlers are still confident that Ndongeni would make it big in US.
“All he wants is to brush off the cobwebs with a bout and then he will return to the US,” the handler said
Ndongeni is still rated 14th by the WBC, but has lost impetus on the WBA ratings.
Insiders could not say who he was likely to fight this month but, apparently, his opponent has already been sent the fight contract.
“His opponent will be a boxer from the country because it will be impossible to bring someone from abroad due to the budget of the tournament and the short notice nature of this fight,” the insider revealed.
“Nomeva is still a drawcard locally so having him in any promoter’s tournament would do wonders for the attendance.”
Ndongeni is yet to lose a bout in 22 outings. — Boxing Mecca