Boxing is such a funny business and that is no more clearer than the battle for the vacant WBC international title, that awaits Thembelani Nxoshe, who recently lost to nemesis Nhlanhla Ngamntwini.
The two boxers have fought each other twice. Nxoshe lost the first fight which was initially billed as a clash for his SA flyweight title. But it was later downgraded due to Boxing SA approval rules.
By losing the fight, Nxoshe escaped the ignominy of also losing his belt.
In the second fight, billed as a title clash, the boxers fought to a draw, although some pundits felt Nxoshe did enough to emerge a winner. But, nevertheless, he retained his belt.
After the drawn fight Ngamntwini was knocked out in brutal fashion by unheralded Mexican Ulises Lara.
On Friday, Nxoshe faces the self-same Lara, looking to avenge the loss of his nemesis, Ngamntwini.
The pair will fight it out in a Xaba Promotions tournament with the vacant WBC International title at stake at Mdantsane’s Indoor Centre.
XP boss Ayanda Matiti is confident Nxoshe will chalk up a win, despite the fact that he could not beat Ngamntwini who, in turn lost to Lara.
“As they say in boxing, styles make fights so Nxoshe’s style is more suited for Lara,” said Matiti.
“Forget the fact that Nxoshe could not beat a boxer who was knocked out by Lara. Boxing is not mathematics where if you do something on the right you must also do it on the left.”
Indeed, Nxoshe’s boxing style may be problematic for Lara as he is not a blood-thirsty boxer in the Ngamntwini mould.
Nxoshe relies on a combination of styles, including roughhouse antics to draw from when the going gets tough.
However, since teaming up with Amanda Magatya he has shed his bad boy image in favour of a cleaner boxing style which he displayed against Ngamntwini in the rematch.
Fighting for the WBC international title may herald the beginning of his international career, which can best be described as over-achievement.
In his lone international bout, Nxoshe was soundly beaten by Filipino Rene Jacquel.
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