Grudge match to settle score
Athi Dumezweni has not forgotten how he closely missed out on the opportunity to be an SA junior-bantamweight champion following his controversial stoppage defeat by Lindile Tshemese in December 2016.
He has vowed to make sure that on Sunday when they meet again he will claim what is rightfully his. Leading on points going to the 12th and final round, Dumezweni was a victim of poor refereeing when Tshemese hit him at the break. The punch wobbled him and the following barrage by Tshemese forced the stoppage.
“I have watched the videofootage of that fight several times but I couldn't get over what happened,” he said.
“I even asked my promoter Xaba Promotions to look at it and lodge a protest. But now I have moved on and put it behind me because I realised that it will not help crying over it.”
Now the two boxers will face again in a grudge match of their December 2016 fight when they clash in an MMT tournament at the Mdantsane Indoor Centre on Sunday. Dumezweni has since moved from Mthatha to Johannesburg to join Damian Durant.
When the fighters met at the premedical at Motion Fitness in Mdantsane on Thursday the tension could be cut with a knife. Tshemese, who surrendered the title to Yanga Sigqibo who later vacated has a chance to regain it if he wins. And he does not see anything stopping him doing what he did two years ago.
“"The title is mine, I just lent it to Sigqibo but now I am claiming it back,” he said.
Both boxers are evenly matched with two losses each although Tshemese has fought four times more than Dumezweni who has 10 bouts. Both are left-handers and both are 29 years old. MMT boss Macbute Sinyabi, who will make his promotional debut, described the fight as a perfect way to launch his career as a promoter. “This is a grudge match and sparks will fly,” he said. The tournament will feature other potentially exciting bouts involving former amateur stars including Sibusiso Bandla. But it will be the clash between Dumezweni and Tshemese which should leave fans debating long after it has finished.
The title is mine, I just lent it to Sigqibo