Nhlanhla Tyirha’s big chance to leap to the upper echelons of world ratings was dealt a blow when a proposed clash against Filipino Joey Canoy fell through after Canoy refused to take it.
Canoy was scheduled to face Beaven Sibanda in an IBF international mini-flyweight challenge at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park on October 4.
Sibanda, who beat Tyirha by a debatable split decision in Cape Town in April, replaced Mdantsane southpaw Siyakholwa Kuse, who was to duke it out against the Filipino in a WBC world title eliminator.
However, Kuse instead is going directly to the title shot against champion Melvin Jerusalem in Manila, Philippines, on October 29.
Sibanda was looking to use Canoy to vault to the title mix before he was forced to withdraw from the fight after suffering a training injury.
With Canoy being left without an opponent, organisers reached out to Tyirha who beat the Filipino in May 2021 when he scaled the world rating heights.
However, Canoy turned down the fight to protect his lofty ratings with the WBC which place him in the third spot, his fifth WBO ranking, and the IBF which lists him 10th.
Tyirha’s trainer, Mzamo “Chief” Njekanye, confirmed the boxer was approached to come in as a late replacement.
“We did not even think twice on accepting the fight because it would have taken us back to where we were,” he said.
“Unfortunately, when Canoy heard that Tyirha was to be the replacement, he turned us down.”
The bout would have come at a perfect moment for the Mdantsane boxer as he is fresh from beating over-matched Tanzanian Sunday Kiwale in a catchweight clash at East London’s Orient Theatre a fortnight ago.
While he is yet to return to the world ratings following his fall from grace when he was upset by journeyman George Kandulo by a knockout, which he avenged a year later with a points win, beating Canoy again would have been a double triumph for him.
While lamenting the lost opportunity, Njekanye said the mere consideration of Tyirha as a worthy replacement was a positive sign for his future trajectory.
“It means we need to stay in training and be ready for any call that may come through.”
Despite his up-and-down career Tyirha, 25, still has age on his side and an impressive record to boot with just three losses in 14 bouts.
Golden Gloves Promotions, which would have staged the fight, has since elevated the undercard between KwaBhaca-born Capetonian Kaya Mlata and Ardy Katompa from DR Congo to a main bout.
Daily Dispatch
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