Sinyabi’s debut hits snag
The audicious promotional debut of former boxer Macbute Sinyabi this weekend hangs in the balance after the main bout he is looking to top his show became a subject of debate.
Sinyabi, who will start promoting shows under his MMT, is planning to have Athi Dumezweni of Mthatha contest the vacant SA junior-bantamweight title against Thulani Gumede of KwaZulu-Natal.
The approval of Gumede has been frowned upon as he is rated eighth with the Lindile Tshemese camp, who beat Dumezweni by a knockout to retain the title when he was still a title-holder, filing a complaint with Boxing SA.
Tshemese surrendered the title to Yanga Sigqibo, who has since vacated it to pursue a world title shot.
This has opened up a gap for Dumezweni, who now trains at the late Nick Durandt’s gymnasium under his son Damean, to get a second bite at the pie.
But Tshemese questioned the approval of Dumezweni ahead of him when he actually beat him.
Since losing the fight Dumezweni has had one fight against an unheralded opponent, Siphosethu Zingela, in September last year. The overmatched opponent was easily stopped in two rounds.
On the other hand Tshemese beat a more capable former SA champion Luzuko Siyo to improve his chances of getting an opportunity to fight for his old title.
Ironically Siyo, who is also billed to feature on the undercard of Sunday’s show against Sabelo Ngebiyane, is also the subject of controversy, with his management said to be against the fight.
“We are not fighting Sinyabi here but we want explanation from BSA on how these two boxers were approved while leaving Tshemese out,” said Tshemese’s promoter Thando Zonke in a letter to BSA.
BSA boss Tsholofelo Lejaka confirmed receiving the official complaint, promising to attend to the matter speedily.
However, time is the luxury Sinyabi does not have as he would like to sort out everything about the tournament as early as this week.
This includes organising a premedical of the fight today for the fight and make travelling arrangements for the boxers from Johannesburg and KZN. Sinyabi confirmed that he was aware of the shenanigans developing around the fight but declined to comment further.
Should BSA rule against Sinyabi it will be the second time the former professional boxer encounters hiccups in his bid to transition from a boxer to a promoter.
He was initially scheduled to make his promotional debut last month with a rematch clash between Thembelani Nxoshe and Nhlanhla Ngamtwini for the SA flyweight title.
But the fight ended up being promoted by Xaba Promotions three weeks ago, with Nxoshe retaining the title with a draw.