The eagerly-anticipated clash between Macbute Sinyabi and Azinga Fuzile is in jeopardy after Fuzile failed to make the stipulated weight at the premedical at Mdantsane Fitness Joint yesterday.
The fighters will battle it out in the featherweight division of 57.15kg, with the SA crown at stake.
Regulations stipulate that a boxer cannot be over the prescribed weight limit of the following division at the pre-medical examination.
Fuzile came in at 60. 64kg, which is heavier than the maximum weight allowed for the junior lightweight division.
Sinyabi, on the other hand, had no problem falling within the limit as he tipped the scales at 58.70kg.
There were rumblings in the sparse crowd as Boxing SA-Eastern Cape manager Phakamile Jacobs threatened to call off the fight.
But fight promoter Ayanda Matiti, who will present the bout under his Xaba Promotions and Events banner, insisted the fight should go ahead as planned.
Jacobs later relented and demanded that Fuzile should attend another weigh-check at 10am this morning.
“If he again comes in overweight we will have no option but to call off the fight,” Jacobs said.
“We would be calling it off now but due to its high profile status we will allow Fuzile to come again.”
Fuzile appeared unperturbed by the whole commotion, fuelling perceptions that he had deliberately come in over the weight limit.
When asked later about the issue, his trainer Mzamo Njekanye said to the Daily Dispatch: “Do not worry, we did it deliberately. We are on something here and this weight issue is nothing.”
When the two boxers were given an opportunity to address the surprisingly small crowd, Fuzile clearly had the upper-hand, even though he had to endure a lengthy speech from Matiti, who dismissed him as a dangerous opponent. Matiti abandoned his impartial stance and openly touted the chances of Sinyabi who is promoted by him.
With Fuzile’s promoter, Teris Ntuthu, absent from proceedings, Matiti had a field day – even going as far as saying Fuzile could only win by divine intervention.
“I do not want to be responsible for what happens to Fuzile because I tried to talk his promoter out of this fight but obviously he was influenced by the boy and his trainer,” Matiti said much to the constant interjection of boxing’s number one fan “Sabotage”.
Going as far as dismissing Fuzile’s amateur achievements, Matiti said the outcome might have severely adverse consequences on the 20-year-old challenger.
But when it was Fuzile’s turn to speak, he had the hall in a frenzy as he promised to end Sinyabi’s career.
“This bra says he will retire from boxing this year and he is correct because I will make him to quit,” he said.
“I can promise you now that the fight will not last the full distance.”
Matiti said 65% of the tickets at Computicket have already been sold.
The fight has also been placed in sports bet outlets at Boxer Supermarket store in Duncan Village.
Weighty issues for mega-fight
The fighters will battle it out in the featherweight division of 57.15kg, with the SA crown at stake.
Regulations stipulate that a boxer cannot be over the prescribed weight limit of the following division at the pre-medical examination.
Fuzile came in at 60. 64kg, which is heavier than the maximum weight allowed for the junior lightweight division.
Sinyabi, on the other hand, had no problem falling within the limit as he tipped the scales at 58.70kg.
There were rumblings in the sparse crowd as Boxing SA-Eastern Cape manager Phakamile Jacobs threatened to call off the fight.
But fight promoter Ayanda Matiti, who will present the bout under his Xaba Promotions and Events banner, insisted the fight should go ahead as planned.
Jacobs later relented and demanded that Fuzile should attend another weigh-check at 10am this morning.
“If he again comes in overweight we will have no option but to call off the fight,” Jacobs said.
“We would be calling it off now but due to its high profile status we will allow Fuzile to come again.”
Fuzile appeared unperturbed by the whole commotion, fuelling perceptions that he had deliberately come in over the weight limit.
When asked later about the issue, his trainer Mzamo Njekanye said to the Daily Dispatch: “Do not worry, we did it deliberately. We are on something here and this weight issue is nothing.”
When the two boxers were given an opportunity to address the surprisingly small crowd, Fuzile clearly had the upper-hand, even though he had to endure a lengthy speech from Matiti, who dismissed him as a dangerous opponent. Matiti abandoned his impartial stance and openly touted the chances of Sinyabi who is promoted by him.
With Fuzile’s promoter, Teris Ntuthu, absent from proceedings, Matiti had a field day – even going as far as saying Fuzile could only win by divine intervention.
“I do not want to be responsible for what happens to Fuzile because I tried to talk his promoter out of this fight but obviously he was influenced by the boy and his trainer,” Matiti said much to the constant interjection of boxing’s number one fan “Sabotage”.
Going as far as dismissing Fuzile’s amateur achievements, Matiti said the outcome might have severely adverse consequences on the 20-year-old challenger.
But when it was Fuzile’s turn to speak, he had the hall in a frenzy as he promised to end Sinyabi’s career.
“This bra says he will retire from boxing this year and he is correct because I will make him to quit,” he said.
“I can promise you now that the fight will not last the full distance.”
Matiti said 65% of the tickets at Computicket have already been sold.
The fight has also been placed in sports bet outlets at Boxer Supermarket store in Duncan Village.
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