SONJICA SET TO WHIP THE FILIPINO STALLION By MESULI ZIFO DUNCAN Village boxer and reigning SA junior-featherweight champion Thabo Sonjica could realise his dream of becoming a world champion when he takes on Filipino Sylvester Lopez for the vacant IBO world crown at East London’s Orient Theatre on Saturday. Lopez was due to have arrived in the country on Tuesday but only arrived yesterday after missing a connecting flight from Hong Kong on Monday evening. The fight is a pleasant surprise to local boxing fans who have been engrossed in the vaunted Premier Boxing League (PBL) while Sonjica’s promoter Mzi Mnguni quietly worked behind the scenes to bring a world title fight to East London. While the entire boxing fraternity was caught up in the euphoria of the historic PBL, Mnguni was embroiled in fierce negotiations with the IBO about approving Sonjica for its vacant title. The IBO reportedly gave the Duncan Village southpaw a rubberstamp provided he was to face Ghanaian and former IBF bantamweight king Joseph Agbeko for the vacant title. Agbeko, who currently holds the bantamweight version of the IBO, reportedly wants to move up to heavier divisions to chase big money fights against nemesis Abner Mares and other former bantamweight foes who are now either campaigning in the junior-featherweight or featherweight divisions. However, Mnguni finally had his way when the IBO mandated Sonjica to face the less dangerous Filipino who has lost five times and drawn twice in 27 fights. Still Lopez, 25, will come as a worthy foe for Sonjica who still needs some experience to compete with the best in the division. The Filipino who goes by the “Stallion” moniker has floored 15 of his 20 victims, meaning Sonjica might pick himself off the floor if he takes the visitor lightly. Sonjica, who is fresh from avenging his two knockout defeats to Macbute Sinyabi when he lifted the national crown, is a year younger than the Filipino and will be facing an international opponent for the third time having seen off both foes with stoppage victories. The tournament will also see world junior-bantamweight contender Zolani Tete taking on Unathi Gqokoma from Duncan Village for the vacant SA junior-bantamweight title. The title was relinquished by Miniyakhe Sityatha whose boxing career is currently clouded in mystery. Former world lightweight title contender Ali Funeka returns to action against Vusi Dladla in a non-title catchweight clash. Funeka was scheduled to battle for the IBO Intercontinental crown after his initial clash against Jason Bedeman that was to be held in Johannesburg on June 15 fell through. Four other bouts involving former SA junior-flyweight champion Luzuko Siyo and hot mini-flyweight prospect Nhlanhla”24” Ngamlana will be on the bill. EAT LEATHER: Thabo Sonjica, right, catches MacBute Sinyabi with a right-handed junior-featherwight champion, takes on Sylvester Lopez for the vacant IBO title jab. Sonjica, the current SA
Posted on: Thu, 04 Jul 2013 09:47:29 +0000
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