Joyi vows to retain his world boxing crown
Fighter unhappy with purse but ready to take on Ndulani in EL
The lone world boxing champion in the province, Nkosinathi Joyi, has vowed to retain his title even though he will go into the fight against Ayanda Ndulani under duress.
Joyi, 37, will make the first defence of his IBO mini-flyweight crown against Ndulani on May 21 at the International Convention Centre in East London.
It will be the first time the popular left-hander returns to the ring since winning the title when he beat Filipino Joe Canoy in December 2019.
He has been itching to return to the ring but due to a number of factors, including Covid-19, had to delay his return.
Joyi will go to the fight under duress as he is involved in a purse dispute with his promoter, Xaba Promotions, which will stage the fight.
Joyi, who is understood to be unhappy with the R80,000 purse, admitted that he was distracted going to the fight.
“There are plenty of issues and, yes, the purse I am fighting for is one of them,” he said.
“It looks like I will always fight for this purse even when I am a champion because this is exactly what I was offered when I won this title.”
Despite the distraction, Joyi vowed not to lose his title.
“Ndulani can forget if he thinks he will take this title because of what I am going through. I plan to hold on to this belt because down the line it will help me.
“There are other bouts I will be able to secure because of this belt so losing it is not my intention. I know people want me to be distracted so that I don’t concentrate on this fight and I can tell you that is not going to happen.”
Joyi is in the twilight of his illustrious career which netted him an IBF mini-flyweight title when he was once rated as the best mini-flyweight boxer in the world.
While he is slowing down with age, he is still good enough to beat challengers and pretenders to his crown.
“Yes, I am no longer the same boxer but there is still enough gas in the tank,” he said.
The Mdantsane hero wants to have one last chance on the world stage by engaging in a unification clash before bowing out.
“That is my dream and that is also why I cannot surrender this belt.
“I want a unification title fight.”
When Joyi was considered the best mini-flyweight boxer in the world his promoter never organised a unification clash for him and he has lived to regret the move.
“I wanted to test myself against other world champions but it was not to be.
“Instead my years were wasted by inactivity.”
Joyi confirmed that his promotional contract with Xaba Promotions would expire after the Ndulani bout but declined to say if he would renew it.
“I first want to get this fight out of the way then I can concentrate on other issues such as contracts.”
Yes, I am no longer the same boxer but there is still enough gas in the tank