BOXING MECCA
Konkco mission impossible
Simpiwe Konkco left the country on Thursday en route to Thailand for what is considered mission impossible.
The Mthatha-born boxer will aim to overcome a plethora of odds, including being the first boxer from the Transkei region to win a major world title.
Konkco will bid to become the first boxer to inflict a loss on the Thailand great Chayaphon Moonsri, better known as Wanheng Menayothin, when he challenges for the WBC miniflyweight title in Chonburi, Thailand next Friday.
Not only is Konkco dismissed as a no hoper, but the fact that he will come up against a boxer who has been a champion for a number of years has stacked the odds against him.
Moonsri is famous for recently surpassing Floyd Mayweather’s 50 fights unbeaten record, having gone three fights more.
On the other hand, at least five boxers have been able to beat Konkco in his 25 bouts, although that record does not quite reflect the Mthatha boxer’s fighting ability.
The scenario facing Konkco suits him as he will get on with his plan with no distraction.
“This situation (of being an underdog) suits me just fine,” he said before his departure.
“Come to think of it, I do not think I have ever been a favourite going to my big fights, and that allowed me to perform to the optimal.”
Indeed, Konkco was a heavy underdog when he challenged now stablemate Hekkie Budler for the WBA and IBO miniflyweight titles in 2015.
But he surprised all when he took Budler to deep waters before gassing out in the championship rounds to lose a close but unanimous decision.
His performance in the fight earned him rave reviews, leading to him securing a contract with Budler’s then promoter Golden Gloves Promotions and manager Colin Nathan.
But beating a fighter who has 11 world title defences will be a tall order for anyone.
However, it has been done before, coincidentally by another Eastern Cape boxer against a long reigning champion in Thailand.
This when Zolani Petelo travelled to Thailand to challenge Anucha Phothong, better known as Ratanapol Sor Vorapin, for the IBF world miniflyweight title in 1997.
Sor Vorapin, with then a record of 37 bouts with just a single loss, had defended the IBF title 20 times times, while Petelo had a patchy fight record of 14 bouts having lost two of his last three fights with two draws.
But Petelo shocked the world when he stopped Vorapin in four rounds.
Among the odds to confront Konkco will be excessive heat in Thailand, with most of the bouts fought in open spaces.
However, by leaving a good 10 days before the fight, Konkco wants to acclimatise fully. – Boxing Mecca