Angry as hell with the fans

Once again Komanisi came down to the city to defend his IBO world featherweight title in a rematch against Filipino Roli Gasca last weekend. And while he scored a fifth-round knockout he was still given a hostile reception by fans, with some even accusing Gasca of taking a dive.

We sat down with Komanisi to find out just what the problem is between him and local boxing fans.

BOXING MECCA: Congratulations for your win Komanisi. Did it go according to plan?

LUSANDA KOMANISI: (very pensive). Thanks. The fight went according to plan and it was easy for me.

BM: But once again fans gave you grief, booing your win.

LK: I really do not know why fans from my own area treat me like this. I saw some leaving the venue long before the referee finished his count. This is why I do not want to fight in East London and I have said this before and I will continue to say it until I am treated better. I would rather fight elsewhere, where I will be respected and appreciated as a world champion.

BM: Where did this all start, Lusanda?

LK: I think it started way back after I knocked out Simpiwe Tom and it continued after my fight with Sobethu (Nkosana)...

BM: Yes I recall that fight and you even took the microphone and apologised for your performance even though I felt it had something to do with Sobethu’s style more than anything.

LK: By that time I had not yet grasped that I was targeted, hence I felt I should apologise for my performance, but the bad treatment continued even after I beat Aphiwe Mboyiya. It has now reached a stage where I no longer want to fight in East London.

BM: That is what you said after your first fight against Gasca when your performance left so much to be desired, but here you were coming back to fight here.

LK: My promoter convinced me to come down here again and he made it worth my while so I had to come.

BM: .. and I hear that you were paid handsomely for the rematch. (Komanisi was paid R500 000 for the rematch).

LK: Let me put it this way. My promoter Terris Ntuthu really looks after me and I have never been happier in my career under him. He makes sure that I am rewarded for being a champion.

BM: But Komanisi, do you really think you deserve to be paid so much when you are yet to establish yourself as a true champion? I mean Zolani Tete, who is way more popular than you are, was paid the same amount when he defended his IBF crown against Paul Butler in England and yet you also get the same amount for a fight against an unheralded opponent like Gasca.

LK: My bro, I think I deserve that purse because like I said, I am a world champion and as you know boxing is a short career so it is good to have a promoter who looks after you.

BM: Now there is this beef between you and Thabo Sonjica. Tell us about it.

LK: There is nothing to tell my bro, besides saying I am disappointed with what Sonjica is saying about me.

BM: But that is exactly what he is also saying. He says you started it.

LK: This is strange because if I had a problem with Sonjica I would never have helped him with sparring sessions when he was preparing for his WBC silver title clash against George Krampah. I was his main sparring partner but after the fight here he was bad-mouthing me.

BM: How has your relationship been when he was training at your gymnasium in Johannesburg?

LK: My bro, not only did I help him with sparring I also gave him a place to stay in my flat. In fact I went to fetch him from the airport when he arrived and at times I even lent him my car so that he could drive around. Ludumo (Lamati, his stablemate) would confirm this. I mean Sonjica used my bathroom, my toilet, my kitchen but here he is bad-mouthing me.

BM: It looks like this thing between you guys is serious.

LK: It is, but I have no time for it because I am continuing with my career.

BM: What can bring an end to this beef?

LK: Only if we can sort it out in the ring. If I could fight Sonjica I would be the happiest boxer on earth. Fortunately we have the same promoter and I have told bro Terris that I want that fight.

BM: I thought you guys would go your separate ways, Sonjica chasing another world title while you go after another.

LK: That was the plan. In fact Sonjica was supposed to fight in the junior-lightweight division while I campaign in the featherweight. But here he is fighting in my division and I do not know whether that is also a coincidence. Like I said, the best way to end this beef is for us to sort it out in the ring.

BM: Are you saying this because you used to outsmart him in sparring sessions?

LK: I will not talk about sparring sessions as they are not real fights.

BM: There is also Macbute Sinyabi.

LK: Yes and I think my bad treatment by East London fans also has something to do with the fact that I knocked him out.

BM: Will you be able to give him a rematch? Sonjica says Sinyabi must stay far from you.

LK: At least he has something positive to say about me but I think he is saying that based on our sparring sessions. But it is not my place to choose who I want to fight but my promoter. Anyone my promoter puts in front of me I will fight.

BM: Which nickname do you prefer? You have so many: Schoolboy, Mexican etc.

LK: My ring name is Mexican as you can see it in my fighting gear.