Sityatha rises from the ashes to prove champion credentials

LWANDILE Sityatha has transformed from a blind charging fighter to a more calculating exponent while retaining his whirlwind punching style.

This was evident in his dominant display over favoured Jackson Chauke in his SA flyweight title defence at East London’s Orient Theatre on Sunday.

Sityatha produced a shutout performance over the previously unbeaten Chauke with all the judges giving him almost all the rounds.

Sityatha came into the fight with a rather tainted image after he was considered fortunate to be declared a winner over former titleholder Xola Sifama in an elimination clash last October. But he took the fight to Chauke from the first bell rocking the Johannesburg challenger with fierce body blows before repeatedly connecting upstairs.

An aggressor throughout the fight, Sityatha never took a back step as he systematically broke down Chauke and forced him to fight on the back foot. Even when the vaunted challenger managed to get through with his counters, Sityatha seemed unflustered as he returned the fire with aplomb, forcing Chauke to cover up for most of the fight.

It was a gutsy display by the 24- year-old champion who has shown signs of maturity since resuming his boxing career after a two-year limbo due to imprisonment for robbery.

Since his release, Sityatha (15-2, 6KOs) has fought four times and while he showed signs of ring-rust against Sifama he has since worn it off starting with his title-winning feat over Doctor Ntsele last December.

In fact he entered the fight against Ntsele as an underdog as Ntsele had knocked out Sifama to take the title before beating Anele Makhwelo, who subsequently died from injuries suffered in his ninth round stoppage defeat.

Sityatha’s promoter Ayanda Matiti, who staged both the fighter’s title winning fight and the title defence against Chauke, said he did not doubt that his charge would beat Chauke. “I know Sityatha’s strength and I had no doubt that he would be too much for Chauke,” said Matiti.

To maximise the fighter’s potential, Matiti roped in former world champion Welcome Ncita to assist head trainer Makwedinana Matiti to look at the technical aspect of preparation.

Makwedinana, a former professional fighter is Ayanda’s older brother.

Sityatha whose spell in prison appeared to have changed him for the better, constantly thanked God for helping him to overcome his challenges in his post-match interview after his victory over Chauke.

And with Mdantsane Prison head Majori Time, who kissed the fighter in the ring to congratulate him on his splendid victory, it is obvious that Sityatha has turned his life around. In fact, a celebratory bash is being planned at Mdantsane Prison where Sityatha was imprisoned sometime this month.

Matiti has already targeted the end of May for Sityatha’s return to the ring when he will make the voluntary defence of his crown against an opponent yet to be decided.

“We want to keep him active to make up for the time he spent in prison,” said Matiti.