The post-fight title parade Simpiwe Konkco embarked on after winning the IBO mini-flyweight crown at the weekend has come back to haunt him after he contracted flu.
Konkco finally laid his hands on a world title when he out-slugged Siyabonga Siyo for the vacant IBO crown at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg last weekend.
After the fight, the ever humble Mthatha-born boxer was mobbed by almost half of the spectators who packed the box and dine venue.
Long after the fight ended Konkco was still going from table to table while fans jostled to take selfies.
With his handlers long gone, Konkco spent almost 47 minutes exchanging pleasantries.
And he did this while his body was still dripping in sweat from the epic battle he had just been involved in.
The following day his post-fight antics caught up with him as he went down with a bout of flu.
“I am in bed as we speak,” he said.
While mingling with fans is commendable, especially with those who travelled all the way from Mthatha to the fight, Konkco should have been protected as his actions could prove detrimental.
Asked why his handlers were not with him, he said: “You know Colin. He went straight to the anti room after the fight probably because he felt he needed to give me time to mingle with my fans.”
Konkco, who became the first world champion from Mthatha, said his achievements were yet to sink in.
“I am glad I finally picked up this world title because it means a lot for the people of Mthatha,’ he said.
Konkco commended Siyo for his ability to take a punch, saying he was surprised the fight went the full distance.
“I must say going into the fight I was confident that I was going to knock him out,” he said.
“But he took everything I threw at him unflinchingly. He is a strong boy but once again I proved that we do not belong in the same league.”
Konkco is yet to meet with his handlers, Nathan and promoter Rodney Berman, to plot the way forward.
But Berman was understandably impressed with his performance as he waxed lyrical after the fight.
“Konkco is the most underrated boxer and he will continue to surprise a lot of people,” he said.
“We will steer him to bigger things as he continues to defy the odds.”
Berman has options on Nicaraguan Bryon Rojas, who upset Konkco’s stablemate Hekkie Budler to wrest the WBA mini-flyweight title this past March.
But for now Rojas should fulfil his WBA mandated defence against interim champion Knockout CP Freshmart of Thailand at the end of this month.
“If Rojas wins we will sit down and plan accordingly,” said Berman.
Konkco gets the chills after chilling out
Konkco finally laid his hands on a world title when he out-slugged Siyabonga Siyo for the vacant IBO crown at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg last weekend.
After the fight, the ever humble Mthatha-born boxer was mobbed by almost half of the spectators who packed the box and dine venue.
Long after the fight ended Konkco was still going from table to table while fans jostled to take selfies.
With his handlers long gone, Konkco spent almost 47 minutes exchanging pleasantries.
And he did this while his body was still dripping in sweat from the epic battle he had just been involved in.
The following day his post-fight antics caught up with him as he went down with a bout of flu.
“I am in bed as we speak,” he said.
While mingling with fans is commendable, especially with those who travelled all the way from Mthatha to the fight, Konkco should have been protected as his actions could prove detrimental.
Asked why his handlers were not with him, he said: “You know Colin. He went straight to the anti room after the fight probably because he felt he needed to give me time to mingle with my fans.”
Konkco, who became the first world champion from Mthatha, said his achievements were yet to sink in.
“I am glad I finally picked up this world title because it means a lot for the people of Mthatha,’ he said.
Konkco commended Siyo for his ability to take a punch, saying he was surprised the fight went the full distance.
“I must say going into the fight I was confident that I was going to knock him out,” he said.
“But he took everything I threw at him unflinchingly. He is a strong boy but once again I proved that we do not belong in the same league.”
Konkco is yet to meet with his handlers, Nathan and promoter Rodney Berman, to plot the way forward.
But Berman was understandably impressed with his performance as he waxed lyrical after the fight.
“Konkco is the most underrated boxer and he will continue to surprise a lot of people,” he said.
“We will steer him to bigger things as he continues to defy the odds.”
Berman has options on Nicaraguan Bryon Rojas, who upset Konkco’s stablemate Hekkie Budler to wrest the WBA mini-flyweight title this past March.
But for now Rojas should fulfil his WBA mandated defence against interim champion Knockout CP Freshmart of Thailand at the end of this month.
“If Rojas wins we will sit down and plan accordingly,” said Berman.
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