The countdown for the biggest boxing tribute ever to be held in South Africa has begun and already boxing fans are bracing themselves for explosive bouts at Orient Theatre.
The day of reckoning is on Sunday, when Golden Gloves Promotions, in association with SuperSport, pay homage to Eastern Cape’s Mr Boxing, Mzi Mnguni, in a blockbuster tournament.
The main bout will see Mdantsane hero Nkosinathi Joyi attempting to regain the IBO mini-flyweight belt, now held by Simpiwe Konkco.
Referring to his days with Konkco under Mamali Promotions’ banner, Joyi said he still viewed his Mthatha-born opponent as a friend.
“But you know my friend that I am hungry for this title so you will have to hand it over,” Joyi said in a press statment.
The show will also pit East London’s most successful white boxer, Giovanni Bushby, against Lee Dyer from KwaZulu-Natal.
Deyer is fresh from dethroning Mdantsane-based DRC native Balemo Weliya for his SA super-middleweight crown and if he beats Bushby, he will also take the WBA Pan-African title.
Lwandisa Zinto will also be defending his Eastern Cape featherweight belt against Aphiwe Masangwana.
While all the action will captivate the expected full house, the spotlight will be on Mnguni for his sterling contribution to boxing.
Mnguni remains the first black trainer in South Africa to produce a world champion, when he guided a young Welcome Ncita to an IBF world junior-featherweight crown over Frenchman Fabrice Benechou in Israel in 1990.
Ncita became the second black boxer to be crowned a world champion in the land, after Peter Mathebula, who benefitted from the tutelage of Willie Toweel.
And besides Joyi, whom he helped win the same title he will be fighting for, he will also watch his other charge, Xolisa Magusha, against Ayanda Dulani in a mini-flyweight scrap.
“I cannot express my gratitude enough for this good gesture,” said Mnguni.
“All I did was to make sure I played my role helping disadvantaged kids escape poverty by introducing them to boxing, not aware one day I would be honoured this way.”
GGP boss Rodney Berman said all the revenue generated from the R100 tickets to the event, would go to Mnguni.
Mnguni is recovering well from a heart attack.
Knockout tribute to Mnguni expected
The day of reckoning is on Sunday, when Golden Gloves Promotions, in association with SuperSport, pay homage to Eastern Cape’s Mr Boxing, Mzi Mnguni, in a blockbuster tournament.
The main bout will see Mdantsane hero Nkosinathi Joyi attempting to regain the IBO mini-flyweight belt, now held by Simpiwe Konkco.
Referring to his days with Konkco under Mamali Promotions’ banner, Joyi said he still viewed his Mthatha-born opponent as a friend.
“But you know my friend that I am hungry for this title so you will have to hand it over,” Joyi said in a press statment.
The show will also pit East London’s most successful white boxer, Giovanni Bushby, against Lee Dyer from KwaZulu-Natal.
Deyer is fresh from dethroning Mdantsane-based DRC native Balemo Weliya for his SA super-middleweight crown and if he beats Bushby, he will also take the WBA Pan-African title.
Lwandisa Zinto will also be defending his Eastern Cape featherweight belt against Aphiwe Masangwana.
While all the action will captivate the expected full house, the spotlight will be on Mnguni for his sterling contribution to boxing.
Mnguni remains the first black trainer in South Africa to produce a world champion, when he guided a young Welcome Ncita to an IBF world junior-featherweight crown over Frenchman Fabrice Benechou in Israel in 1990.
Ncita became the second black boxer to be crowned a world champion in the land, after Peter Mathebula, who benefitted from the tutelage of Willie Toweel.
And besides Joyi, whom he helped win the same title he will be fighting for, he will also watch his other charge, Xolisa Magusha, against Ayanda Dulani in a mini-flyweight scrap.
“I cannot express my gratitude enough for this good gesture,” said Mnguni.
“All I did was to make sure I played my role helping disadvantaged kids escape poverty by introducing them to boxing, not aware one day I would be honoured this way.”
GGP boss Rodney Berman said all the revenue generated from the R100 tickets to the event, would go to Mnguni.
Mnguni is recovering well from a heart attack.
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