The last time Nkosinathi “Mabere” Joyi was in action he engaged in a fight of the year candidate against Simpiwe Konkco with a world title at stake.
That alone should have made promoters to fight for his service especially given the following he commands in Mdantsane.
But strangely Joyi has instead been starved of fights with no one coming to his rescue despite his fan friendly style, drawing power and fighting prowess.
It has taken a full two years for him to end that enforced limbo as he will finally swing back to action on December 7 taking on Mpho Seforo for the ABU junior-flyweight title.
The inactivity the darling of Mdantsane has been subjected to does not bode well for a boxer campaigning in the light divisions where speed, reflexes and timing are the necessary attributes for success.
While battling for action the 35-year-old has even relocated to Johannesburg for a brief stay with Kenneth Mabunda to no vail.
When he returned he decided to trace it back to where it all started by joining the Eyethu Boxing Club under which he won his first title.
“Yes I am training at Eyethu because it is closer to home but this is where I first won my first world title,” said Joyi.
Teaming up with former SA flyweight champion Ncedo Cecane, who is a chief trainer at the club, may prove to be a master stroke for Joyi as Cecane has an ability to bring out the best from old boxers.
Hailing from NU1 Mdantsane, Joyi does not travel much to the club which is housed at Mdantsane hotel in the Highway taxi rank, less than a kilometre from his home.
This has helped him to maximise his training regimen together with other boxers of the club such as SA junior-lightweight champion Phila Mpontshane who is renowned for his penchant to push his body to physical limits when preparing for fights.
There is also the reigning SA mini-flyweight champion Xolisa Magusha who ensures that Joyi is not found wanting when it comes to sparring sessions.
“Everything has been good for me here and this fight is important to me,” said Joyi.
A former all-conquering IBF champion, Joyi’s gutsy stand against Konkco proved that it was the size of the fight in the dog that matters.
Conventional wisdom still dictates that Konkco had Colin Nathan to thank for helping him emerge as the winner after the shrewd trainer advised him to change his fight strategy and not engage in toe-to-toe with Joyi who was ripping with sickening body punches and appeared to be a few punches away from turning the tide.
Nothing is really known about Seforo besides the fact he has fought just eight times with seven wins and a draw.
The only notable name in his fight resumé is Luyanda Nkwankwa who Joyi also easily beat.
Joyi was looking for a shot at former stablemate Bongani Silila who will also feature in the bout defending his SA junior-flyweight belt against unbeaten prospect Nhlanhla Tyirha.
However due to his two-year inactivity and the weird criteria for SA title approvals Joyi is content to take the closed book Seforo hoping a win will rekindle his career with a continental belt to boast...