Duncan split over tough fight
Tsotsi’s corner expects a lot from opponent
The boxing-crazy fraternity from Duncan Village in the Eastern Cape will be split on Friday night when rising stars Lindile “Tsotsi” Tshemese and Yanga “Showtime” Siqgibo meet in the square ring at Orient Theatre.
Tshemese will be defending his SA junior bantamweight title. Their 12-rounder will form part of the bill that will be organised by Xaba Promotions and Events in celebration of Heritage Month.
Usually, boxing fans from Duncan Village unite against outsiders, especially from Mdantsane, because there is that healthy sporting rivalry between these two boxing powerhouses in the Eastern Cape.
Tshemese won the title in March last year against Sithembiso Faye.
He defended successfully against former champion Thembelani Maphuma and also against young hope Athenkosi Dumezweni.
Tshemese’s unheralded trainer Mzamo Mapitla said: “It is going to be a good fight. Yanga is one of the prospects. We expect a lot from him but we are ready. We have done all we could to be super fit physically and mentally. Come Friday, we will do what we do best.”
Tshemese has nine wins against a loss and two draws.
Siqgibo remains undefeated in 10 bouts. In his last fight in July, he stunned the boxing fraternity at East London’s ICC Hall by easily outclassing ring veteran Mfundo Gwayana over eight rounds.
Gwayana is a former SA junior bantamweight and WBF Intercontinental flyweight champion who has been around since 1999.
Topping the bill will be Lusanda Komanisi in his bid to win the WBO Intercontinental featherweight belt against Jhack Tepora from the Philippines. Komanisi from Mdantsane has not fought at home since 2015 when he retained his IBO belt against Roli Gasca from the Philippines. The champion was stripped of the title this year for not defending.