Siyabonga Siyo’s team suffered a double blow on Saturday when he failed to win the vacant IBO mini-flyweight title and then moments later the father of his promoter Andile Sidinile died.
Siyo was battling for the vacant world title against Simpiwe Konkco in a Golden Gloves Promotion show at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg.
The Duncan Village boxer was fighting at the venue for the first time and this seemed to unsettle him in the first few rounds as he battled to contain a rampant Konkco who hails from Mthatha but is now based in Johannesburg.
Konkco started strongly, throwing his jab to the body before landing an overarm right hand which constantly found the target and threatened to make a short night for Siyo.
Siyo began to figure him out but still he was falling steadily behind on points as his boxing strategy was more about survival than trying to win the fight. He hardly took a forward step and was content to let Konkco initiate proceedings while relying on counter-attacks.
Siyo constantly lost his balance and fell down a number of times. By round four he had made as many trips to the canvas even though none was an official knockdown.
Konkco’s offence began to ebb in the middle rounds as he surprisingly appeared to run out of gas. But Siyo did not capitalise on his foe’s weakness, allowing the bout to degenerate into a chess match devoid of any action.
It was only in the ninth round that Siyo began to attack with gusto as he landed crisp punches on the visibly tiring Konkco.
Breathing through his mouth, Konkco then fired back just to ward off his opponent who appeared to relent as he returned to fighting on the back foot.
Konkco picked up the pace again in the last round when he landed big punches.
The bell came to Siyo’s rescue but he still tasted the first defeat of his career in 11 bouts.
All the judges voted in favour of Konkco with 116-112 twice and 118-110 which seemed to reflect Konkco’s dominance.
Shortly after results were announced Sidinile, who had been attending Siyo’s corner to offer advice, later received a call that his father Ben Nomoyi had passed away.
GGP boss Rodney Berman said Konkco would be steered to bigger fights possible against the winner of Thai CP Freshmart and Bryon Rojas to whom he has options.
“ I think Konkco is a terrific fighter and with Colin Nathan he has improved considerably,” Berman said.
Other results saw differing outcomes for SA fighters competing in the Cruiserweight Super Four series with Kevin Lerena eking out a unanimous points decision over Argentinean Roberto Bolonti while Johnny Muller went down in a similar fashion to Dane Micki Nielsen.
Lerena and Nielsen will now meet in the final in October.
Nightmare for Siyo
Siyo was battling for the vacant world title against Simpiwe Konkco in a Golden Gloves Promotion show at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg.
The Duncan Village boxer was fighting at the venue for the first time and this seemed to unsettle him in the first few rounds as he battled to contain a rampant Konkco who hails from Mthatha but is now based in Johannesburg.
Konkco started strongly, throwing his jab to the body before landing an overarm right hand which constantly found the target and threatened to make a short night for Siyo.
Siyo began to figure him out but still he was falling steadily behind on points as his boxing strategy was more about survival than trying to win the fight. He hardly took a forward step and was content to let Konkco initiate proceedings while relying on counter-attacks.
Siyo constantly lost his balance and fell down a number of times. By round four he had made as many trips to the canvas even though none was an official knockdown.
Konkco’s offence began to ebb in the middle rounds as he surprisingly appeared to run out of gas. But Siyo did not capitalise on his foe’s weakness, allowing the bout to degenerate into a chess match devoid of any action.
It was only in the ninth round that Siyo began to attack with gusto as he landed crisp punches on the visibly tiring Konkco.
Breathing through his mouth, Konkco then fired back just to ward off his opponent who appeared to relent as he returned to fighting on the back foot.
Konkco picked up the pace again in the last round when he landed big punches.
The bell came to Siyo’s rescue but he still tasted the first defeat of his career in 11 bouts.
All the judges voted in favour of Konkco with 116-112 twice and 118-110 which seemed to reflect Konkco’s dominance.
Shortly after results were announced Sidinile, who had been attending Siyo’s corner to offer advice, later received a call that his father Ben Nomoyi had passed away.
GGP boss Rodney Berman said Konkco would be steered to bigger fights possible against the winner of Thai CP Freshmart and Bryon Rojas to whom he has options.
“ I think Konkco is a terrific fighter and with Colin Nathan he has improved considerably,” Berman said.
Other results saw differing outcomes for SA fighters competing in the Cruiserweight Super Four series with Kevin Lerena eking out a unanimous points decision over Argentinean Roberto Bolonti while Johnny Muller went down in a similar fashion to Dane Micki Nielsen.
Lerena and Nielsen will now meet in the final in October.
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