Bongani Magasela
7 January 2010.
NKOSINATHI Joyi will carry the hopes of South African fight fans, especially those from his home city, East London, when he challenges IBF mini flyweight holder Mexican Raul Garcia.
Joyi’s promoter Branco Milenkovic won the rights to stage this fight on Tuesday night.
He outbid American Bob Arum during the purse bid at the IBF’s offices in New Jersey, New York. Milenkovic’s bid was 160000 (R1,3million), while Arum, who guides the career of Garcia, pledged 125000 (R1million).
Garcia, the champion, will get 75percent of the purse while Joyi will earn 25percent.
Milenkovic announced yesterday that his Branco Sports Productions would stage the fight on March 26, either in East London or Gauteng.
The supremely talented Joyi, a former national and IBO undefeated titlist, whose skills are honed by Boxing SA’s trainer of 2008 Lennox Mpulampula, won the No 1 spot on June 26 last year in front of 3000 fans at the Orient Theatre in East London.
He overwhelmed resilient Filipino Florante Condes with skill and power over 12 rounds in the IBF title eliminator.
Milenkovic, who promotes Joyi with S’Phatho Handi, said it was important for him to win the bid because it has proved to be a tall order for local boxers to win away fights.
“I did not want Joyi to go through a similar situation like Ali Funeka, who was robbed twice,” said the lanky Serb.
“I am delighted and very happy that Branco won the bid,” said the soft-spoken fighter, who declared himself the new IBF mini flyweight champion of the world.
The fight has all the hallmarks of a thrilling duel considering that the antagonists are undefeated in their professional careers. Joyi boasts 15 knockouts in 20 fights, while Garcia, who hails from La Paz, the capital of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur, has registered 16 stoppages in 27 contests.
Leave a Reply