Stringent tests ahead for Sigqibo
FAST rising Duncan Village star Yanga “Showtime” Sigqibo underlined his readiness for the WBC international junior-bantamweight title when he participated in the WBC 30-day weigh-in this week.
Sigqibo will engage in his first international bout when he takes on Filipino Rene Dacquel as part of the birthday celebrations of former statesman Nelson Mandela in East London on July 27.
The WBC insists that boxers mandated to compete for any of its title undergo a 30-day weigh-in to gauge their preparedness.
They are also required to undergo a year round doping tests.
Sigqibo passed the tests with his weight of 56.6kg said to be within the limit 30 days before the fight.
His opponent Dacquel also underwent his own examination in Philippines where he was said to be also ready for the fight.
The Filipino will make the second trip to the country having fought here before when he beat current SA flyweight champion Thembelani Nxoshe who was trying to compete in the junior-bantamweight division.
Despite being only 27 years old, the Filipino has fought the best in the junior-bantamweight including undefeated Takuma Inoue, who is known as the younger brother of all conquering Naoya Inoue.
In fact the young Inoue was also mooted as Tete’s opponent before the Mdantsane champion won the WBO bantamweight title.
Dacquel’s other loss of his seven defeats was at the hands of one of the Maloney twins – Andrew and Jason Moloney.
Andrew beat him on points in the Filipino’s last bout in February.
Sigqibo, who is said to be vacating his SA junior-bantamweight title, is seen as the new star from Duncan Village and with only a single loss and as many draws in 12 fights is on the fast lane towards a world title challenge. –