Three of the province’s favourite sons of the soil will make a welcome return home when they participate in career-defining bouts in a Sijuta Promotions show at Orient Theatre on Friday.
Zolani Tete, Nkosinathi Joyi and Xolisani Ndongeni will feature in separate bouts, with each of them likely to influence their future in the ring.
Tete, who relinquished his IBF junior-bantamweight title due to an unsatisfactory purse when he was scheduled to defend it against Puerto Rican McJoe Arroyo, returns to the ring against Argentinean Olguin Ramirez Diuhl, with another bite at the world crown already on the horizon.
Sijuta boss Andile Sidinile, whose company will stage the fight in a joint venture with Tete’s newly formed Last Born Promotions, says the deal has already been clinched for Tete to fight for a world title in East London on December 4.
“So there is a lot riding on this fight as Tete has been approved for a world title fight for December,” Sidinile said, refusing to shed more light on the issue.
Tete, unlike any of the country’s other fighters, fought in his opponents’ backyard in his last three fights. On his return from his previous fight in March, when he knocked out English fighter Paul Butler in Liverpool, the provincial MEC for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Pemmy Majodina – who was present at yesterday’s press conference announcing the fights – promised to ensure that the left-handed boxer fought at home.
And yesterday, Tete’s manager Mla Tengimfene, said he was happy Majodina’s promise had been realised. “It is because of people like you, MEC, that these youngsters get up in the morning and train for their fights, because they know you are behind them,” said Tengimfene.
Ndongeni will also make a return to his happy hunting ground when he takes on Mexican Miguel Angel Escalada in his first international fight. Ndongeni, who is now based in Johannesburg under trainer Colin Nathan and promoter Rodney Berman, left Duncan Village to pursue his career in the city of gold after producing a below-par performance in outpointing veteran Mzonke Fana.
He admitted that his win was unsatisfactory and promised to regain the form which had made him a big attraction in the city. “I do not need to tell you what will happen at Orient Theatre on Friday,” he said.
Another boxer who will make a long-awaited return to the Orient Theatre is former undisputed world mini-flyweight champion Nkosinathi Joyi, who will take on fellow Mdantsane fighter Sinethemba Magibisela in a battle of left-handers. The show will be screened live by SuperSport.
Majodina said the show was the perfect way to launch September as heritage month, “as boxing is our heritage in this province”.
Return of the Orient busters
Zolani Tete, Nkosinathi Joyi and Xolisani Ndongeni will feature in separate bouts, with each of them likely to influence their future in the ring.
Tete, who relinquished his IBF junior-bantamweight title due to an unsatisfactory purse when he was scheduled to defend it against Puerto Rican McJoe Arroyo, returns to the ring against Argentinean Olguin Ramirez Diuhl, with another bite at the world crown already on the horizon.
Sijuta boss Andile Sidinile, whose company will stage the fight in a joint venture with Tete’s newly formed Last Born Promotions, says the deal has already been clinched for Tete to fight for a world title in East London on December 4.
“So there is a lot riding on this fight as Tete has been approved for a world title fight for December,” Sidinile said, refusing to shed more light on the issue.
Tete, unlike any of the country’s other fighters, fought in his opponents’ backyard in his last three fights. On his return from his previous fight in March, when he knocked out English fighter Paul Butler in Liverpool, the provincial MEC for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Pemmy Majodina – who was present at yesterday’s press conference announcing the fights – promised to ensure that the left-handed boxer fought at home.
And yesterday, Tete’s manager Mla Tengimfene, said he was happy Majodina’s promise had been realised. “It is because of people like you, MEC, that these youngsters get up in the morning and train for their fights, because they know you are behind them,” said Tengimfene.
Ndongeni will also make a return to his happy hunting ground when he takes on Mexican Miguel Angel Escalada in his first international fight. Ndongeni, who is now based in Johannesburg under trainer Colin Nathan and promoter Rodney Berman, left Duncan Village to pursue his career in the city of gold after producing a below-par performance in outpointing veteran Mzonke Fana.
He admitted that his win was unsatisfactory and promised to regain the form which had made him a big attraction in the city. “I do not need to tell you what will happen at Orient Theatre on Friday,” he said.
Another boxer who will make a long-awaited return to the Orient Theatre is former undisputed world mini-flyweight champion Nkosinathi Joyi, who will take on fellow Mdantsane fighter Sinethemba Magibisela in a battle of left-handers. The show will be screened live by SuperSport.
Majodina said the show was the perfect way to launch September as heritage month, “as boxing is our heritage in this province”.
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