FIGHTING at home is something that every boxer yearns for, especially when competing for a world title, because it gives them the edge.
FIGHTING at home is something that every boxer yearns for, especially when competing for a world title, because it gives them the edge.
The support from fans also plays a pivotal role and their shouts have often swayed judges' scoring.
Simphiwe "Golden Master" Nongqayi could be in that situation when he fights Mexican Jorge "Traviesso" Arce for the vacant IBF super flyweight belt on September 15.
But only if negotiations between Nongqayi's promoter Branco Milenkovic and Fernando Beltran, who manages and promotes Arce, reach a deadlock. Milenkovic said there were loose ends that needed to be tied up, failing which the fight would be held here. Milenkovic won the purse bid last month.
But Nongqayi prefers to fight away from home because he says the noise and instructions from overzealous local fans makes it difficult for him to listen to his trainer's instructions.
He says he could hear trainer Nick Durandt's voice loud and clear when he defeated Francisco Arce (Jorge's brother) in Mexico for the number one spot in February.
"Obviously I will be happy if it takes place here but I will be glad with Mexico as well. I have already made an impression there," he said. "It is also great to win a world title outside home because it shows that you are the real thing.
"Look at my stablemate Isaac Hlatshwayo - he won the IBF welterweight belt in America. That shows that he is the ultimate warrior."
Nongqayi and Arce will fight for the belt that was relinquished by Australian Vic Darhinyan two days after Milenkovic won the purse bid.
"I don't undermine Arce at all but I can safely say he won't see the 10th round," Nongqayi said.
This 36-year-old former WBF undefeated champion from Eastern Cape is undefeated after 15 fights (6 KOs) while Arce, 30, from Los Mochis, is an experienced campaigner with 52 wins (40 KOs), three defeats and a draw.
Arce, the former multiple title holder in the light flyweight, flyweight and super flyweight divisions, boasts a fourth-round stoppage win over Masibulele "Hawk" Makepula.
Nongqayi may fight at home
FIGHTING at home is something that every boxer yearns for, especially when competing for a world title, because it gives them the edge.
FIGHTING at home is something that every boxer yearns for, especially when competing for a world title, because it gives them the edge.
The support from fans also plays a pivotal role and their shouts have often swayed judges' scoring.
Simphiwe "Golden Master" Nongqayi could be in that situation when he fights Mexican Jorge "Traviesso" Arce for the vacant IBF super flyweight belt on September 15.
But only if negotiations between Nongqayi's promoter Branco Milenkovic and Fernando Beltran, who manages and promotes Arce, reach a deadlock. Milenkovic said there were loose ends that needed to be tied up, failing which the fight would be held here. Milenkovic won the purse bid last month.
But Nongqayi prefers to fight away from home because he says the noise and instructions from overzealous local fans makes it difficult for him to listen to his trainer's instructions.
He says he could hear trainer Nick Durandt's voice loud and clear when he defeated Francisco Arce (Jorge's brother) in Mexico for the number one spot in February.
"Obviously I will be happy if it takes place here but I will be glad with Mexico as well. I have already made an impression there," he said. "It is also great to win a world title outside home because it shows that you are the real thing.
"Look at my stablemate Isaac Hlatshwayo - he won the IBF welterweight belt in America. That shows that he is the ultimate warrior."
Nongqayi and Arce will fight for the belt that was relinquished by Australian Vic Darhinyan two days after Milenkovic won the purse bid.
"I don't undermine Arce at all but I can safely say he won't see the 10th round," Nongqayi said.
This 36-year-old former WBF undefeated champion from Eastern Cape is undefeated after 15 fights (6 KOs) while Arce, 30, from Los Mochis, is an experienced campaigner with 52 wins (40 KOs), three defeats and a draw.
Arce, the former multiple title holder in the light flyweight, flyweight and super flyweight divisions, boasts a fourth-round stoppage win over Masibulele "Hawk" Makepula.
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