A massive withdrawal of boxers has floored Mamali Promotions scheduled to be headlined by the eagerly anticipated rematch between Mdantsane boxing hero Nkosinathi Joyi and Filipino Rey Loreto.
The show was scheduled to be held at the Mdantsane Indoor Centre this Saturday and was to be one of a series of shows taking place this weekend.
Joyi was to seek his revenge after being knocked out in three rounds by the Filipino journeyman for the then IBO junior-flyweight title in Monte Carlo, Monaco in February.
Joyi has been working hard for the fight after reuniting with long-time mentor Boy Boy Mpulampula.
The tournament was also scheduled to feature the IBO junior-lightweight title clash between wayward Thabo Sonjica and Mzonke Fana.
However, Mamali Promotions boss Siphatho Handi said fighters withdrew from the tournament in droves leaving him with no chance but to cancel it.
“About four bouts were affected including the Sonjica-Fana clash when Sonjica pulled out,” said Handi.
Sonjica, who promised to mend his ways in his endeavours to reclaim former glory since joining Mla Tengimfene’s stable, reportedly went Awol and could not be located.
Handi declined to confirm or deny the reports but admitted that the bout fell apart due to Sonjica and not Fana.
Other bouts that forced the cancellation of the tournament include the withdrawal of Julie Tshabalala who was to challenge Noni Tenge for the WBA interim welterweight crown, Prince Ndlovu who was scheduled to face Takalani Ndlovu in a battle of Ndlovus and Mfusi Maxhayi who would have taken on Toto Helebe.
Prince Ndlovu and Tshabalala reportedly suffered injuries in training.
The spate of withdrawals reportedly scared off the sponsors after a similar occurrence in Handi’s tournament in Cathcart when it was hit by boxers’ withdrawals two months ago.
Handi admitted that he wanted to continue with the then tournament but the sponsors refused to budge.
“My financial partners suggested that we postpone the tournament.”
Loreto, who opted for the rematch against Joyi instead of facing Luzuko Siyo, is reportedly gutted by the turn of events.
Handi confirmed that the Filipino’s camp was not happy with the cancellation “but we explained to them that it was beyond our control”.
Joyi, who has been preparing for the fight since September, should be the most disappointed as the southpaw boxer is not too fond of training.
However since the fight was announced he has been putting in hard hours in training and managed to reduce his weight to 51kg.
Handi said he understood Joyi’s frustrations but added that boxers should expect such disappointments when preparing for a fight.
He said the tournament will take place on February 28 next year.
Joyi-Loreto bout off for now
The show was scheduled to be held at the Mdantsane Indoor Centre this Saturday and was to be one of a series of shows taking place this weekend.
Joyi was to seek his revenge after being knocked out in three rounds by the Filipino journeyman for the then IBO junior-flyweight title in Monte Carlo, Monaco in February.
Joyi has been working hard for the fight after reuniting with long-time mentor Boy Boy Mpulampula.
The tournament was also scheduled to feature the IBO junior-lightweight title clash between wayward Thabo Sonjica and Mzonke Fana.
However, Mamali Promotions boss Siphatho Handi said fighters withdrew from the tournament in droves leaving him with no chance but to cancel it.
“About four bouts were affected including the Sonjica-Fana clash when Sonjica pulled out,” said Handi.
Sonjica, who promised to mend his ways in his endeavours to reclaim former glory since joining Mla Tengimfene’s stable, reportedly went Awol and could not be located.
Handi declined to confirm or deny the reports but admitted that the bout fell apart due to Sonjica and not Fana.
Other bouts that forced the cancellation of the tournament include the withdrawal of Julie Tshabalala who was to challenge Noni Tenge for the WBA interim welterweight crown, Prince Ndlovu who was scheduled to face Takalani Ndlovu in a battle of Ndlovus and Mfusi Maxhayi who would have taken on Toto Helebe.
Prince Ndlovu and Tshabalala reportedly suffered injuries in training.
The spate of withdrawals reportedly scared off the sponsors after a similar occurrence in Handi’s tournament in Cathcart when it was hit by boxers’ withdrawals two months ago.
Handi admitted that he wanted to continue with the then tournament but the sponsors refused to budge.
“My financial partners suggested that we postpone the tournament.”
Loreto, who opted for the rematch against Joyi instead of facing Luzuko Siyo, is reportedly gutted by the turn of events.
Handi confirmed that the Filipino’s camp was not happy with the cancellation “but we explained to them that it was beyond our control”.
Joyi, who has been preparing for the fight since September, should be the most disappointed as the southpaw boxer is not too fond of training.
However since the fight was announced he has been putting in hard hours in training and managed to reduce his weight to 51kg.
Handi said he understood Joyi’s frustrations but added that boxers should expect such disappointments when preparing for a fight.
He said the tournament will take place on February 28 next year.
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