The fight that has been on the cards for a while between Simpiwe Konkco and unbeaten Duncan Village prospect Nhlanhla Ngamntwini is expected to steal the show at Cathcart Hall in Cathcart this Saturday.
Several promoters have been vying to stage the fight only for the boxers’ handlers to hit a snag in negotiations.
Even agreement to finally organise the fight was a bit sudden as it was initially scheduled to be held in December under the banner of Sijuta Promotions.
But a disagreement around the purse prompted Konkco’s promoter Siphatho Handi of Mamali Promotions to slot it in in this weekend’s tournament headlined by former two-time IBF champion Mzonke, who faces Jasper Seroka in a rematch of their 2009 bout.
This time the WBF junior-lightweight crown will be the carrot in what can best be described as a crossroads fight.
However, Ngamntwini’s clash against Konkco for the vacant IBO Intercontinental mini-flyweight crown will be the most anticipated bout of the afternoon.
There were anxious moments at yesterday’s premedical at Mdantsane Fitness Joint when Ngamntwini failed to arrive.
Konkco, who lives in Mthatha, had been in the venue and had already been given a clean bill of health while several calls were made to locate his Duncan Village opponent.
The 21-year-old finally arrived looking calm and was also within the limit for the fight.
However, the doctor had already left, prompting Ngamntwini to rush to Cecilia Makiwane to do his own premedical.
“Phew, I thought he had chickened out,” said Konkco afterwards.
Konkco admitted that Ngamntwini has been chasing for a clash against him when Handi wanted to pit the Duncan Village boxers against the less-known Siphamandla Baleni instead.
“He has been making all the noise. Now it is the time for him to back it up,” said a confident looking Konkco.
Konkco is one of the underrated champions in the land probably because of his patchy record dotted with several losses when he was polishing his craft.
Since his breakout year in 2012 when he stunned the favoured Bongani Mfundisi via a seven rounds knockout to capture the vacant SA mini-flyweight crown, he has jealously guarded his title against every challenger including a stunning nine-rounds knockout of the illustrious Zukisani Kwayiba.
Commenting about his good run against Duncan Village-based boxers, Konkco said the trend will continue on Saturday.
“Ngamntwini must go and ask Kwayiba and Mfundisi about what I do to boxers from his area,” he said.
“I always make sure that they do not hear the final bell and on Saturday this will be the case.”
After having his weight checked Ngamntwini appeared nervous even during the photo-shoot and quickly slipped into his clothes afterwards.
Ngamntwini nicknamed “24” is yet to lose a fight in nine bouts with six stoppages while Konkco has tasted four defeats in 18 bouts.
Other bouts on the programme include Tshifhiwa Munyai taking on Siviwe Hasheni for the WBA Pan-African junior-featherweight title.
Takalani Ndlovu will oppose Lwandile Gugushe of Cape Town for the vacant WBA Pan-African featherweight diadem while Mfusi Maxhayi will risk his WBF Intercontinental bantamweight belt against Unathi Gqokoma.
There will be two six-round bouts on the card. The final weigh-in will be held at Fitness Joint tomorrow before all the boxers travel to Cathcart to do battle the following day.