Nhlanhla Tyirha’s camp has allayed fears that he is gambling by taking two fights in the space of two weeks, starting with the one against Phumlani Maloni at East London’s Christian Centre on Friday.
The former world top contender is also scheduled to face Beaven Sibanda in Cape Town on April 26.
Fighting twice in two weeks marks a significant turn of fortunes for the Mdantsane southpaw after he was inactive for more than a year.
However, the move has been described by some observers as being risky, raising questions about why he did not withdraw from the Maloni fight in favour of the more significant one against world-rated Sibanda.
But Tyirha’s manager, Mzamo “Chief” Njekanye, defended the move, saying his new recruit could not afford to be picky after being out of the ring for so long.
“We are taking both fights and believe me this is what Tyirha wants at this stage of his career,” he said.
“I know some may think it is risky, but I have been in this game for a while to know how these things work.”
Tyirha was on the cusp of a world title shot when he took a stay-busy fight against unheralded Malawian journeyman George Kandulo in July 2023.
While seemingly cruising to a comfortable victory, Tyirha was rocked by a big right hand which sent him crashing to the canvas and he was counted out in the sixth round.
The punch turned his world upside down, robbing him of a world title shot and subjecting him to depression.
Hopping from one club to the other in pursuit of a ring return, he was out for more than a year until he joined Mla Tengimfene, who organised him a rematch with Kandulo to deal with his psychological challenge.
Tyirha scored an underwhelming points win in August but his relations with Tengimfene, who wanted to rebuild him with bouts against easy opposition, soured.
Njekanye called out Sibanda shortly after the Eastern Cape boxer joined him, but the bout appeared dead and buried before it resurfaced under Cape Town promoter Jackie Brice when Tyirha was already committed to face Maloni.
Among those who warned Tyirha of the risks of the double act was Maloni, who was his stablemate at Tengimfene’s gymnasium.
“I see he is overlooking me by scheduling another bout in Cape Town, but he will be sorry for doing that,” Maloni said.
“It looks like he did not learn from the Kandulo mistake.”
Tyirha denied underestimating Maloni, insisting he was giving him all the respect he deserved.
“I see he is confident and that is exactly how I like them,” he said.
“There is no problem for taking two bouts in one month because I am always in the gym so I will be able to handle it.”
Tyirha will clash against Maloni in the mini-flyweight division but tackle Sibanda in the junior-flyweight class.
Daily Dispatch
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