Handi cries foul after Joyi defeat

As uncertainty shrouds Nkosinathi Joyi’s career following his first round stoppage defeat by Filipino Rey Loreto, his management is embroiled in a bitter row with the IBO president Len Hunt as well as referee Tony Nyangiwe over his stoppage of the fight.

Joyi was dropped by a Loreto left hook in the first round and after being dumped into the ropes by a follow-up uppercut, Nyangiwe quickly jumped in to stop the fight.

Even though the fight was held at Mdantsane Indoor Centre which is a few metres from his NU1 home, the spectators seemed to accept the outcome but Joyi’s promoter Siphatho Handi is still furious for what he says was a premature stoppage by Nyangiwe.

“ I am still upset by Nyangiwe’s decision to stop the fight when Joyi was clearly not hurt,” Handi said yesterday.

“Why he did not administer a count after the second knockdown is still beyond me because Joyi was still in his senses.”

However, IBO African president Len Hunt disagreed with Handi and even claimed that Handi swore at him and Nyangiwe shortly after the fight had ended.

“Handi’s behaviour was despicable,” said Hunt.

“He swore at me and Nyangiwe and accused us of wanting to destroy Joyi’s career. From where I was sitting, Nyangiwe was correct to stop the fight because Joyi could have taken more unnecessary punishment.”

Handi said Joyi even asked why the fight had been stopped and did not even need a stool to sit in the corner after the stoppage.

“I am telling you Joyi was still in his senses and he did not understand why the fight was stopped.”

Handi denied he swore at Hunt and Nyangiwe but admitted that he asked the referee about his premature stoppage.

“I asked him why he hated Joyi so much because even when Joyi was fighting Hekkie Budler he is the one who scored the fight against him when a German official had Joyi winning by four points.”

Handi insisted that Joyi will not retire after the weekend defeat instead he will help him get back into the ring.

“I already had plans for Joyi in case he lost to Loreto but I am not convinced that his career is over after the manner in which he lost the fight.”

Handi confirmed that he has already lodged an official complaint to the IBO about the outcome of the fight.

Handi reportedly paid around R500000 to lure Loreto to give Joyi a rematch in his own backyard after the Filipino had knocked him out in three rounds in Monte Carlo, Monaco in February last year.

While Handi is upset with the outcome, Joyi’s trainer Boy Boy Mpulampula offered no excuses for the loss saying Loreto caught them by surprise.

“We expected him to throw his swings and we prepared for that in training by using sparring partners who fight like him,” Mpulampula said after the fight.

“That is why Joyi kept his guards up but Lotero came with a different strategy this time. I am so disappointed I will not even be able to sleep.”

Joyi reportedly called Handi after the fight and apologised for the defeat.

“Yes he called and comforted me but to me he did nothing wrong,” said Handi.

“We will bring him back around September in a 10-rounder until we are satisfied that he is indeed finished.”