Landile Ngxeke’s defection saga has unleashed a wave of emotions in SA boxing, dominating social media debates often reserved for highly anticipated bouts in the ring.
Ngxeke, from Sada but training in Mdantsane, dropped a bombshell last week when he dumped his long-time promoter Ayanda Matiti of Xaba Promotions and their training club Xaba Boxing Academy to join Colin Nathan’s No Doubt Management team in Johannesburg.
His departure is the biggest clash between the two entities since another Xaba boxer, Phumelela Cafu of Duncan Village in June 2024.
Both were on the verge of fighting for world titles, having been orchestrated to move up the ratings to title spots by Matiti by matching them against international opposition.
With all the work already done to position them for world title shots, Nathan secured Cafu a WBO world title shot against Japanese Kosei Tanaka, whom he dethroned to realise his world title dreams.
Ngxeke might find himself being sidelined while the legal teams of the two parties slug it out in court
He has done the same for Ngxeke after the IBF ordered him to contest for the vacant bantamweight title against Mexican Jose Salas Reyes on a date and venue yet to be determined.
Though Matiti did not challenge Cafu’s departure, he has decided to object to Ngxeke’s defection by filing a formal objection to Boxing SA, which he also accuses of colluding to help Nathan steal his boxer.
The matter is yet to be heard and may throw a spanner in the works for Ngxeke’s title clash against Reyes as the IBF frowns upon any boxer with legal impediment from contesting its titles.
While the fans are keen to see the boxers clash in the ring, the impasse is likely to shift action to court chambers with both parties confident of their cases.
Nathan insists Ngxeke had no binding contract with anyone when he signed him, while Matiti argues the absence of pact does not mean the boxer was a free agent, citing a slew of clauses in regulations to back his argument.
It is not the first time high-profile East London boxers have dumped their mentors for Johannesburg trainers after being plucked from obscurity, moulded and positioned for world title shots.
Calls for BSA to attend to the issue have long reached a crescendo as it has potential to deal a death knell to the future of the sport.
This has long been attended to by other codes to avoid potential damaging court actions.
Ngxeke might find himself being sidelined while the legal teams of the two parties slug it out in court.
The sooner this fiasco is avoided the better for the welfare of the boxers.
Daily Dispatch
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