After more than a year on the sidelines, fight-starved IBO world mini-flyweight champion, Simpiwe Konkco, makes his long-awaited ring return when he fights in Mthatha on July 22.
Still fighting under the GGP banner, his title defence against Toto Landero of Philippines will top a Last Born Promotion (LBP) event.
Konkco has not fought in his hometown in five years, since beating Luyanda Nkwankwa in defence of his SA mini-flyweight title.
Since then, he has soared to dizzy heights, as far as the fight game goes, having annexed the IBO title after relocating to Johannesburg to join trainer Colin Nathan and promoter Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves Promotions (GGP).
However, he has been devoid of ring action for a year, risking the prospect of being stripped of his IBO title and lose his lofty ratings with other major world bodies..
WBO bantamweight king Zolani Tete heads up LBP, but is managed by Tete’s manager Mla Tengimfene, who confirmed that after several efforts to secure funding, he managed to convince OR Tambo District Municipality to again come on board for the tournament which will be held at Walter Sisulu University.
“We have decided to feature at least 50% from the OR Tambo region so that the tournament leaves footprints in the region,” he said.
Konkco last fought on June 10 last year when he beat another Filipino, Lito Dante, at Emperors Palace.
He has been crying out for some ring action, concerned that at 32, he was not getting any younger.
“We are glad to finally bring Konkco back before he could lose his ratings with top world bodies,” said Berman.
“I think Konkco is a terrific fighter and we are committed to helping him challenge for one of the major world bodies unification clash for his IBO title.”
Landero was originally scheduled to challenge Konkco’s stablemate, Deejay Kriel, in Berman’s tournament scheduled for tomorrow at Emperors Palace.
But Kriel suffered a wrist injury, that forced him to pull out of the fight.
The fight in Mthatha will see a number of boxers making their ring return after a while.
They will be led by Makazole Tete who faces Namibian Jonas Matheus for the WBA Pan-African junior-featherweight crown.
The 31-year-old Namibian is enjoying a five-fight winning streak, since suffering one of his two defeats against Johannes Shitilitha, whom he later avenged.
Another forgotten fighter who will make an appearance will be sensational woman boxer Sharrodene Fortuin, who takes on Simangele Hadebe in defence of her WBA Pan-African junior-bantamweight title.
SuperSport will televise the tournament...