SA featherweight champion Zolisa Batyi is determined to use the opportunity of having a dedicated promoter backing him by beating nemesis Abdul-Aziz Kunert at East London’s Orient Theatre on Saturday.
For the better part of his career Batyi, from Nxarhuni village near Mdantsane, was forced to fight in shows promoted by his opponents’ promoters as he had no-one backing him.
He suffered his first loss to Luthando Mbumbulwana in a show promoted by Mbumbulwana’s promoter in Mthatha in 2019 even though he appeared to have done enough to get a draw at least.
His second loss was against Asanda Gingqi in an SA title bout, but he made amends when he stunned Jeff Magagane with a second-round knockout to win the title despite fighting in Magagane’s backyard in Seshego, Limpopo.
Despite finally being a champion, he was still forced to go to Kunert’s backyard in Cape Town for his maiden defence and nearly left the belt there when the fight was scored a draw.
The arrival of KayB Promotions changed his fortunes as he was able to defend his belt at home, stopping Lucky Hoybane in eight rounds at the Orient Theatre in March, and followed that up with a points win over Yamkela Phaliso in August.
“They nearly took my title in Cape Town and I am glad Kunert is coming down here so I can right the wrongs,” he said.
“I am grateful to KayB for sticking by me and affording me an opportunity to be treated as a champion by letting me fight at home.
“I beat Kunert in Cape Town and I will prove beyond doubt that he did not deserve the draw they gave him.”
Two of the judges, all from Cape Town, scored the bout 114-114, while the third had Batyi winning 115-114 allowing him to escape with his belt.
Batyi had always done things the hard way, with the boxing fraternity not convinced he was the business despite shocking Magagane, who dethroned Gingqi.
This could partly be because of his rural background and his rather unrefined boxing style of seek and destroy with little regard for finesse.
However, this has had a positive effect as challengers are lining up and all fancying their chances of beating him, making him the most active SA champion this year.
The Kunert rematch will mark his third title defence this year, making him the busiest national champion.
KayB boss Mzi Booi said he had seen something unique in Batyi and decided to back him.
“The fact that he comes from a rural area and has defied the odds to be a champion is a big achievement for him,” he said
“We want to give opportunities to underprivileged individuals and Batyi fits our objective.”
Booi, whose promotion also serves as an entity to empower communities, recently donated boxing equipment to underprivileged clubs in Ngqushwa to motivate youngsters to follow careers in the sport.
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