Big fights are beckoning for Duncan Village boxer Siyabonga Siyo with even a world title fight being on the horizon if he beats Hekkie Budler in their WBA Pan African mini-flyweight clash at Emperors Palace this evening.
This according to fight promoter Rodney Berman who will present the clash under his Golden Gloves Promotion banner.
Berman told Saturday Dispatch that he has already entered into an agreement with the IBO to have its junior flyweight title on the line for tonight’s winner.
Siyo’s team which includes Andile Sidinile of Sijuta Promotions, was pleasantly surprised when informed of the news by the Dispatch.
“We had no idea that there are such plans,” said Sidinile.
“This makes this fight a must-win affair for us and the news could not have come at a more perfect time.”
Siyo will return to the venue where he capitulated against Simpiwe Konkco in an IBO mini-flyweight title clash in Junes.
This was when he contracted a flu virus just a few days before the fight, which affected his performance leading to a points defeat.
The nifty fighter still argues that he only lost the fight because of his illness.
“Konkco did not beat me although he won the fight,” he said.
Siyo should consider himself extremely lucky for getting such a big fight despite coming off a defeat where he did not show any zeal against Konkco.
When asked if he expected to get such a big fight in his very next bout, Siyo said: “Not at all. It is like being given another life and this time I have to make the best of the occasion – unless, of course, I have nine lives like a cat.”
Should Siyo triumph against Budler he will breathe new life into his young professional career of just 11 fights.
While Siyo has been given a chance of redemption, Budler will also take the fight as such as he is coming off a loss himself. This happened when he surprisingly surrendered his WBA super title to unheralded Nicaraguan Bryon Rojas in March.
The loss came after he had just been elevated to super champion status owing to his long reign as the WBA regular and IBO champion.
Berman still cannot fathom how Budler suddenly became lethargic on his biggest night after proving his mettle in world-class bouts abroad.
“Hekkie is now getting a second chance to prove that what happened against Rojas, was a fluke,” Berman said.
“But the same can be said about Siyo and that is why this bout is crucial for both boxers.”
The fight will be underneath the Cruiserweight Super Four final clash between SA boxer Kevin Lerena and Micki Nielsen of Denmark in a battle of southpaws.
Interestingly, the pair were in in action in the same tournament which featured the Konkco-Siyo bout in June when they eliminated Johnny Muller (Nielsen) and Argentinean Robert Bolonti respectively in the semifinals of the Berman-innovated series.
Tonight’s show will also see the return of Chris van Heerden to the country after a stint in the US where he fought six times with just one loss.
Van Heerden will take on Namibian Sacky Shikukutu with the WBA Pan African welterweight crown up for grabs.
Big fights on cards for Siyo
This according to fight promoter Rodney Berman who will present the clash under his Golden Gloves Promotion banner.
Berman told Saturday Dispatch that he has already entered into an agreement with the IBO to have its junior flyweight title on the line for tonight’s winner.
Siyo’s team which includes Andile Sidinile of Sijuta Promotions, was pleasantly surprised when informed of the news by the Dispatch.
“We had no idea that there are such plans,” said Sidinile.
“This makes this fight a must-win affair for us and the news could not have come at a more perfect time.”
Siyo will return to the venue where he capitulated against Simpiwe Konkco in an IBO mini-flyweight title clash in Junes.
This was when he contracted a flu virus just a few days before the fight, which affected his performance leading to a points defeat.
The nifty fighter still argues that he only lost the fight because of his illness.
“Konkco did not beat me although he won the fight,” he said.
Siyo should consider himself extremely lucky for getting such a big fight despite coming off a defeat where he did not show any zeal against Konkco.
When asked if he expected to get such a big fight in his very next bout, Siyo said: “Not at all. It is like being given another life and this time I have to make the best of the occasion – unless, of course, I have nine lives like a cat.”
Should Siyo triumph against Budler he will breathe new life into his young professional career of just 11 fights.
While Siyo has been given a chance of redemption, Budler will also take the fight as such as he is coming off a loss himself. This happened when he surprisingly surrendered his WBA super title to unheralded Nicaraguan Bryon Rojas in March.
The loss came after he had just been elevated to super champion status owing to his long reign as the WBA regular and IBO champion.
Berman still cannot fathom how Budler suddenly became lethargic on his biggest night after proving his mettle in world-class bouts abroad.
“Hekkie is now getting a second chance to prove that what happened against Rojas, was a fluke,” Berman said.
“But the same can be said about Siyo and that is why this bout is crucial for both boxers.”
The fight will be underneath the Cruiserweight Super Four final clash between SA boxer Kevin Lerena and Micki Nielsen of Denmark in a battle of southpaws.
Interestingly, the pair were in in action in the same tournament which featured the Konkco-Siyo bout in June when they eliminated Johnny Muller (Nielsen) and Argentinean Robert Bolonti respectively in the semifinals of the Berman-innovated series.
Tonight’s show will also see the return of Chris van Heerden to the country after a stint in the US where he fought six times with just one loss.
Van Heerden will take on Namibian Sacky Shikukutu with the WBA Pan African welterweight crown up for grabs.
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