Errant Duncan Village boxer Thabo Sonjica will finally make his long-awaited return to the ring when he vies for the WBC silver featherweight title against George Krampah of Ghana at Mdantsane Indoor Centre on Saturday.
The talented left-hander will make his debut under new trainer Nick Durandt and aims to get his stuttering career back on track.
Sonjica’s last bout was a forgettable one when he forfeited his IBO junior-featherweight title on the scales because he could not make the weight for his title defence against Filipino Roli Gasca in a Golden Gloves Promotion (GGP) show last August.
GGP boss Rodney Berman was livid for what he described as ill-disciplined but went ahead with the fight with Sonjica pulling off a rather mild points victory.
Berman wanted to match him against two-time former world champion Malcolm Klassen in the junior-lightweight division but Sonjica turned down the fight. Now he has teamed up with Rumble Africa Promotion under whom he will also make his debut. While his boxing career took a back seat, Sonjica’s personal life came to the fore with court appearance over a rape charge.
Despite his renowned antics, his manager Mla Tengimfene said the boxer was focused.
“I have been getting good reports from Nick about Sonjica and I think he will come to this fight with no worries about weight,” said Tengimfene.
There is no denying Sonjica is a talented boxer but like all gifted fighters, his personal lifestyle is proving to be his biggest challenger.
Tengimfene expressed hope the boxer would realise his potential under a strict disciplinarian like Durandt.
“I like the fact that he has been removed from the Duncan Village environment where he is treated as a cult hero and exposed to all sorts of temptations. Now that he is in Johannesburg, all he does is train.”
Sonjica’s two losses in 22 bouts which he later avenged to Macbute Sinyabi are the only blemishes to his fight record.
Nothing is known about Krampah besides the fact that he has fought all his 14 fights with just one loss in Ghana. However, he is expected to be a rangy and tough boxer.
The tournament has been on and off on several occasions with reports that Rumble Africa boss Thembalethu Ntuthu’s funds have been cut off.
However, Saturday’s fight will dispel such reports with more major tournaments scheduled later in the year.
By George! It’s Sonjica
The talented left-hander will make his debut under new trainer Nick Durandt and aims to get his stuttering career back on track.
Sonjica’s last bout was a forgettable one when he forfeited his IBO junior-featherweight title on the scales because he could not make the weight for his title defence against Filipino Roli Gasca in a Golden Gloves Promotion (GGP) show last August.
GGP boss Rodney Berman was livid for what he described as ill-disciplined but went ahead with the fight with Sonjica pulling off a rather mild points victory.
Berman wanted to match him against two-time former world champion Malcolm Klassen in the junior-lightweight division but Sonjica turned down the fight. Now he has teamed up with Rumble Africa Promotion under whom he will also make his debut. While his boxing career took a back seat, Sonjica’s personal life came to the fore with court appearance over a rape charge.
Despite his renowned antics, his manager Mla Tengimfene said the boxer was focused.
“I have been getting good reports from Nick about Sonjica and I think he will come to this fight with no worries about weight,” said Tengimfene.
There is no denying Sonjica is a talented boxer but like all gifted fighters, his personal lifestyle is proving to be his biggest challenger.
Tengimfene expressed hope the boxer would realise his potential under a strict disciplinarian like Durandt.
“I like the fact that he has been removed from the Duncan Village environment where he is treated as a cult hero and exposed to all sorts of temptations. Now that he is in Johannesburg, all he does is train.”
Sonjica’s two losses in 22 bouts which he later avenged to Macbute Sinyabi are the only blemishes to his fight record.
Nothing is known about Krampah besides the fact that he has fought all his 14 fights with just one loss in Ghana. However, he is expected to be a rangy and tough boxer.
The tournament has been on and off on several occasions with reports that Rumble Africa boss Thembalethu Ntuthu’s funds have been cut off.
However, Saturday’s fight will dispel such reports with more major tournaments scheduled later in the year.
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