Nontshinga world title eliminator likely headed for Bay

East London is likely to lose out to Gqeberha for a blockbuster boxing tournament featuring a world title eliminator on April 25.

The event has East London boxer Sive Nontshinga vying for the IBF junior flyweight title eliminator against Filipino Christian Araneta in a high-stakes bout with the winner set to challenge Felix Alvarado for the full crown.

Nontshinga’s promoter, Rumble Africa Promotions (Rap), managed to convince the Araneta camp to take its offer and come to SA before the promotional rights were contested in a purse bids auction.

However, the fight venue is yet to be confirmed even though the Araneta entourage is expected to arrive in the country on April 10.

The Eastern Cape’s two metros are neck and neck to host the fight with the pendulum swinging in favour of Gqeberha after one the major sponsors of the fight preferred the Friendly City.

Rap CEO Nomfesane Nyatela declined to confirm the reports, though she admitted that the venue was yet to be decided.

“We have not decided on the venue as yet as we are working on a number of possibilities,” she said.

Asked where the Araneta camp will land on April 10, she said: “Well, they will land in SA and hopefully by then the issue of the venue will be sorted.”

But sources in the know have revealed that the fight is headed for the Boardwalk Casino.

The matter is believed to have been discussed at ministerial level with the provincial branch instructed to deal with the matter.

One of the funders, the Eastern Cape department of sport, recreation, arts and culture, is believed to be flexible regarding the venue, with Rap organisers scheduled to hold a meeting with Bay metro bigwigs this week.

Buffalo City Metro mayor Xola Pakathi has already been made aware of the possibility of the fight moving to Gqeberha.