If the bold predictions made by boxers ahead of their bouts at the unusual Christian Centre in Abbotsford venue are anything to go by, the sport will make a dramatic introduction to the venue often used for church gatherings.
At the premedical examination held at the venue on Tuesday when all boxers were given a clean bill of health, they mocked each other while promising to deliver emphatic knockouts to kick off the countdown to Friday’s tournament.
Siseko Teyisi was the most vocal, promising yet another knockout-win to add to the six he has already scored in as many bouts.
Teyisi defends the newly acquired SA junior-flyweight belt against his senior amateur teammate, Abongile Jacob, in a Mdantsane derby.
Jacob was Teyisi’s senior in the amateur ranks where both won national titles before Jacob quit boxing to be a taxi driver.
Teyisi continued, winning the title when he knocked out KwaZulu-Natal’s Mfanuvele Ntuli in December just when Jacob had made a comeback.
The 20-year-old champion, who is yet to convince critics that he has the goods, said he was glad for a swift ring return to continue his knockout spree.
“He [Jacob] is next in line and unfortunately he will have to return to driving taxis after I have dealt with him because there is no way he will be able to box again,” Teyisi said.
“I know he was ahead of me at the amateurs because he won the title first but I became the champion first in the professional ranks.”
Jacob, 32, who also qualified as a carpenter, said the missing link was becoming a champion in the paid ranks.
“This piece of the puzzle will be fitted on Friday and unfortunately it will be against a young boy I witnessed growing up after me,” he said.
His trainer, Nkoi Matshoba, said it was unfortunate that it had to be Teyisi on the opposite corner of his charge’s SA title quest.
Matshoba’s involvement at the Sisonke Boxing Club at NU8 has breathed new life into Jacob’s career.
“I like Teyisi and I regard him as one of the future boxing stars and fortunately he is still young and will be able to bounce back from the loss on Friday.”
Siyabulela Hem, who vies for the vacant WBO youth junior-featherweight title against John Zile of Ghana, promised to continue with the brilliant form he displayed when he all but sent veteran Bongani Mahlangu to retirement.
He destroyed the 45-year-old in three rounds to retain his SA junior-featherweight title in December.
“I see Zile is some sort of a knockout specialist but he will have to continue with that reputation elsewhere because I am taking this belt,” Hem said.
Event promoter Xaba Promotions allayed fears that the venue could throw boxing fans off their stride especially with no special transport arrangements.
“If anything, I think people will embrace this venue as everything is top notch including parking bays and ablution facilities,” he said.
“People will feel safe here and church congregants are so excited that there is a suggestion to increase the seats.”
The venue can reportedly attract 1,200 spectators.
Daily Dispatch
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