Fuzile’s bout hangs in balance
Azinga Fuzile’s trip to the US, where he is scheduled to contest for a world title eliminator, is in a precarious position after his technical team failed to obtain visas by Friday.
Fuzile is set to leave for the US early this week where he will face English fighter Martin Ward for the IBF junior lightweight title eliminator in Las Vegas on May 29.
However, whether he will make the trip or not is still up in the air after his chief trainer Mzamo “Chief” Njekanye and assistant trainer Yanga Gingxana could only get a November date for visa interviews.
Fuzile managed to secure an interview though he is still waiting to hear whether he will be granted his visa after he benefited from exemption surrounding his initial requirement to quarantine in another country.
Njekanye confirmed he could not secure a visa when he applied for it at the Cape Town consulate on Thursday.
“Yes, I was only granted a November date for an interview, which effectively rules us out when the fight is on May 29,” he said.
Fuzile was busy sorting out his medicals on Friday, but whether he will leave for the US without his technical team remains to be seen.
Njekanye said if he did not get a visa, Fuzile would also not fly to the US.
“I will not allow him to leave on his own without me, unless I am setting him up to fail,” he said.
However, contingency plans are being made to ensure Njekanye and Gingxana secure early visa interviews, with the matter being escalated to the department of international relations through the provincial department of sports, recreation, arts and culture.
The office of sports minister Nathi Mthethwa has also reportedly been asked to intervene.
Fuzile’s promoter, Rumble Africa Promotions, is in regular contact with Matchroom Boxing which will promote the fight, to be streamed live on DAZN. The bout will be a co-feature to the WBC world lightweight title clash between defending champion Devin Haney — renowned for handing Fuzile’s stablemate and Duncan Villagebred Xolisani “Nomeva” Ndongeni his first professional loss — and Jorge Linares.
Njekanye said the team had planned to leave this week to have enough time to comply with US Covid-19 protocols.
“But we cannot set a definite date until this issue of the visa is resolved.”