It's one thing for a boxer to beg for activity but in the case of one Gideon Buthelezi being given the opportunity to regain his world title has more than answered his prayers.
Buthelezi faces Lwandile Sityatha at East London International Conference Centre (ICC) tomorrow in a Xaba Promotions and Events show in a bid to regain his IBO junior bantamweight crown he lost to Filipino Edrin Dapudong.
The fight will not only present Buthelezi with an opportunity at redemption but he believes winning the belt will breath life to his fledging career.
“When I was offered this opportunity I thought someone was playing a fast one on me,” he said.
“I kept praying to God that this fight does not get cancelled or something happens and so far my prayers are being answered.
“I have been crying out for a chance to regain my title and now it is here. What else can I ask for?”
Buthelezi, who celebrated his 29th birthday on July 16, says regaining the title will be a perfect belated birthday present.
Looking calm at Monday’s premedical held at Mdantsane Fitness Joint, despite being a visiting boxer, Buthelezi still defends himself for the manner in which he parted with his crown.
He lost it when he was knocked out cold by Dapudong in the first round in June 2013 of their rematch where he was considered lucky to be given the nod seven months earlier.
So upset was Dapudong’s manager Manny Pinol that he asked for a rematch and his charge repaid him handsomely.
But Buthelezi feels Dapudong caught him cold when he was yet to get his rhythm.
“Yes he knocked me out but it was the first round and I had not properly warmed up.”
He admits that he does not know that much about Sityatha who dethroned Dapudong in closely contested fight that could have gone either way.
“I hear that he did not beat Dapudong that convincingly and maybe he was lucky the fight was held in his own backyard,” Buthelezi said.
The southpaw boxer is fresh from a morale boosting win in Namibia where he beat Immanuel Naidjala on points to lift the WBO All Africa bantamweight title.
He says he had to accept the fight at a heavier weight even though his natural weight is the junior bantamweight.
“Remember I had not fought since I lost to Dapudong, so I could not sit and wait for fights to come at my weight class.
“ I had to take that one to stay active although I knew I was taking a major risk against that guy.
“But it was then or never and luckily the judges gave the decision even though I was fighting in a foreign environment.”
Buthelezi who goes by the moniker “Hardcore” has lost four times in 18 bouts and counts the SA mini-flyweight title as one of his achievements.
Ironically Sityatha started his professional career at mini-flyweight and at one stage the pair were set to clash at the now defunct Baby Champs but somehow they avoided each other when Sityatha lost a highly debatable bout. Buthelezi went on to win the mini-flyweight Baby Champs title.
“We never fought at the Baby Champs because he lost but now here I am coming as a challenger. Life is full of twists and turns.”
While he will be fighting in Sityatha’s backyard, Buthelezi has an edge in the favourite stakes to regain his crown.
Buthelezi’s fight prayers answered
Buthelezi faces Lwandile Sityatha at East London International Conference Centre (ICC) tomorrow in a Xaba Promotions and Events show in a bid to regain his IBO junior bantamweight crown he lost to Filipino Edrin Dapudong.
The fight will not only present Buthelezi with an opportunity at redemption but he believes winning the belt will breath life to his fledging career.
“When I was offered this opportunity I thought someone was playing a fast one on me,” he said.
“I kept praying to God that this fight does not get cancelled or something happens and so far my prayers are being answered.
“I have been crying out for a chance to regain my title and now it is here. What else can I ask for?”
Buthelezi, who celebrated his 29th birthday on July 16, says regaining the title will be a perfect belated birthday present.
Looking calm at Monday’s premedical held at Mdantsane Fitness Joint, despite being a visiting boxer, Buthelezi still defends himself for the manner in which he parted with his crown.
He lost it when he was knocked out cold by Dapudong in the first round in June 2013 of their rematch where he was considered lucky to be given the nod seven months earlier.
So upset was Dapudong’s manager Manny Pinol that he asked for a rematch and his charge repaid him handsomely.
But Buthelezi feels Dapudong caught him cold when he was yet to get his rhythm.
“Yes he knocked me out but it was the first round and I had not properly warmed up.”
He admits that he does not know that much about Sityatha who dethroned Dapudong in closely contested fight that could have gone either way.
“I hear that he did not beat Dapudong that convincingly and maybe he was lucky the fight was held in his own backyard,” Buthelezi said.
The southpaw boxer is fresh from a morale boosting win in Namibia where he beat Immanuel Naidjala on points to lift the WBO All Africa bantamweight title.
He says he had to accept the fight at a heavier weight even though his natural weight is the junior bantamweight.
“Remember I had not fought since I lost to Dapudong, so I could not sit and wait for fights to come at my weight class.
“ I had to take that one to stay active although I knew I was taking a major risk against that guy.
“But it was then or never and luckily the judges gave the decision even though I was fighting in a foreign environment.”
Buthelezi who goes by the moniker “Hardcore” has lost four times in 18 bouts and counts the SA mini-flyweight title as one of his achievements.
Ironically Sityatha started his professional career at mini-flyweight and at one stage the pair were set to clash at the now defunct Baby Champs but somehow they avoided each other when Sityatha lost a highly debatable bout. Buthelezi went on to win the mini-flyweight Baby Champs title.
“We never fought at the Baby Champs because he lost but now here I am coming as a challenger. Life is full of twists and turns.”
While he will be fighting in Sityatha’s backyard, Buthelezi has an edge in the favourite stakes to regain his crown.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos