Trainers at loggerheads in battle outside the ring

The fight may be between Macbute Sinyabi and Azinga Fuzile but in reality it will be their handlers who will be locked in a bitter battle outside the ring.

The fight pits Ayanda Matiti who promotes Sinyabi, against Fuzile’s trainer Mzamo “Chief” Njekanye for the first time since the huge fallout over the career of Xolisani “ Nomeva” Ndongeni.

Mzamo unearthed the then unknown Ndongeni, turning him into a world class boxer with Matiti, who later signed up the boxer as his promoter.

However the relationship between Matiti and Mzamo hit rock bottom, leaving Ndongeni confused as he did not know whom to side with.

Ndongeni was so worried that he asked the pair to resolve their differences, failing which he would retire from boxing.

But they never did, forcing Ndongeni to dump them both and join Colin Nathan in Johannesburg under Rodney Berman’s Golden Gloves Promotions.

Since then Matiti and Mzamo have not spoken to each other, until the Daily Dispatch asked the promoter to arrange a photo session with Fuzile.

Mzamo confirmed that he was surprised when he received a call from Matiti this week.

“I was in two minds whether I should answer it because I did not know what to expect, because we had not spoken since the Nomeva fiasco,” he said.

“But then he told me that the Dispatch wanted to interview Fuzile so could I make sure he was available.”

Matiti who was previously at loggerheads with foe-turned-friend, Teris Ntuthu, who is the promoter of Mzamo’s boxers has cast aspersions at the potential of promoting Fuzile if he beats Sinyabi.

“Firstly I do not even think the question is relevant because Fuzile will not beat Sinyabi,” he said.

“But to answer your question I think we will sit down with Rumble Africa Promotions (Ntuthu’s promotion outfit) and discuss the issue.”

When asked if he would be willing to work with Matiti, if Fuzile won, Mzamo said: “ I would also love to know.

“Perhaps you can ask him what his intentions are for Fuzile after his win.”

Fuzile stands on the brink of making history if he wins, as he will break Vic Toweel’s 67-year-old record of winning a national title with the least number of fights.

Toweel, the only SA boxer to win an Olympic gold medal, is regarded as the greatest boxer ever produced by South Africa.

Fuzile who also is an amateur stand out having won numerous international championships, has fought only four times winning all compared to Sinyabi’s 33 bouts.

Sinyabi has beaten almost all top boxers from Duncan Village where Fuzile hails from but the youngster says he will stem the tide.

“I have always wanted to fight Sinyabi since I was an amateur and now finally I will get him to put an end to all his claims that he always beats Duncan Village boxers.

“It is unfortunate that I will get him when he is no longer the same Sinyabi but it does not matter.”