Boxing SA has defended the failure of SA bantamweight champion Landile Ngxeke to defend his title since winning it more than a year ago, attributing it to the absence of challengers.
Ngxeke, who is headed for a world title challenge as he awaits a mandate from four of the sanctioning bodies, has not defended the national belt since winning it with an injury-induced fourth-round stoppage of Lusizo Manzana at East London’s International Convention Centre on December 16 2023.
He has since engaged in three international bouts, stopping two Filipinos, Jerald Paclar and Genisis Libranza, before seeing off the tough challenge of Mexican Eric Gamboa a few weeks ago.
The win over Gamboa earned him the IBF international title to add to his WBO intercontinental belt, pushing him to the verge of a world title shot.
However, BSA rules forbid national champions from engaging in non-title bouts without fulfilling their mandatory obligations.
National champions are granted participation in international bouts when they are in a voluntary title defence window.
BSA issued letters to all national champions reminding them of the requirement to make plans for their title defences.
This led to SA junior-welterweight champion Ntethelelo Nkosi being forced to vacate his title when he accepted participation in the WBC Grand Prix, for which he has advanced to the quarterfinal stages.
BSA’s Mandla Ntlanganiso said Ngxeke had been spared from a mandatory title defence obligation due to the lack of contenders submitting formal challenges.
“We acknowledge that Ngxeke has been ready and willing to defend his bantamweight title and the delay has been due to the absence of a formal challenger rather than refusal on his part,” he said.
Ntlanganiso said Ngxeke was not the only champion not defending the title, with others in the same divisions also doing the same.
However, he could not cite the names of champions who have not defended their titles since winning them despite the presence of contenders.
“We remain committed to ensuring active title defences and we will work closely with promoters, managers and boxers to facilitate more challenges as we strive to enhance the competitiveness and growth of SA boxing.”
Mdantsane’s Likho Sigaba, who is rated top for Ngxeke’s title, publicly challenged him to defend his title against him or vacate it ahead of his fifth-round stoppage win over Celimpilo Ngema in April.
“I think Ngxeke will have to decide what to do with this title because I need to fight for it,” Sigaba said.
There were reports that Ngxeke has vacated the title as his team was busy with world title plans with the IBF having elevated him to the fifth spot after winning its international title.
He is also rated third by the WBO, with any of the world bodies likely to either give him a title shot or at least an eliminator.
But his promoter, Xaba Promotions, shot down such reports, saying the Whittlesea-born boxer was still the SA champion.
Daily Dispatch
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