IBF mini flyweight champion Nkosinathi Joyi is hoping that the SABC will beam his world title defence against Japan's Katsunari Takayama live to accommodate the horde of boxing fans who will be unable to attend the fight in East London.
The hard-hitting pugilist also known as MaBhere will defend his title against Takayama at Orient Theatre on March 30.
"This will be my first defence in East London since winning the world title in 2009," said Joyi, the respected knockout specialist from Mdantsane.
"The fight has generated massive interest, also considering that Branco Promotions has decided to reduce the entrance fee from R100 to R50.
"It goes without saying that the venue (Orient Theatre) will be too small to accommodate the multitude of boxing fanatics coming for the fight.
"With SABC showing the fight, this will help in catering for some of the people who won't be able to get the tickets.
"We expect the tickets to be sold out as early as next week.
"I also want people in other parts of South Africa to watch the fight live as I offer free boxing lessons to Takayama," Joyi said.
Branco Promotions boss Branco Milenkovic said they were in discussions with the public broadcaster to televise the fight live.
"All that I can tell you is that I'm waiting for feedback from the SABC in this regard.
Joyi is not the only one who is not happy at the prospects of a blackout but the whole country is.
"SABC is killing the sport by not showing boxing fights.
"Ordinary South Africans who are poor can no longer watch boxing tournaments.
"Boxing used to be one of the most watched sporting codes in the past because ordinary people, who are in the majority, could watch it on Saturday and Sunday afternoons."
Attempts to speak to SABC group communications boss Kaizer Kganyago were unsuccessful yesterday as his mobile phone was continuously on voice-mail.
Milenkovic and Joyi pinning their hopes on broadcast of IBF title defence from Orient Theatre in East London
IBF mini flyweight champion Nkosinathi Joyi is hoping that the SABC will beam his world title defence against Japan's Katsunari Takayama live to accommodate the horde of boxing fans who will be unable to attend the fight in East London.
The hard-hitting pugilist also known as MaBhere will defend his title against Takayama at Orient Theatre on March 30.
"This will be my first defence in East London since winning the world title in 2009," said Joyi, the respected knockout specialist from Mdantsane.
"The fight has generated massive interest, also considering that Branco Promotions has decided to reduce the entrance fee from R100 to R50.
"It goes without saying that the venue (Orient Theatre) will be too small to accommodate the multitude of boxing fanatics coming for the fight.
"With SABC showing the fight, this will help in catering for some of the people who won't be able to get the tickets.
"We expect the tickets to be sold out as early as next week.
"I also want people in other parts of South Africa to watch the fight live as I offer free boxing lessons to Takayama," Joyi said.
Branco Promotions boss Branco Milenkovic said they were in discussions with the public broadcaster to televise the fight live.
"All that I can tell you is that I'm waiting for feedback from the SABC in this regard.
Joyi is not the only one who is not happy at the prospects of a blackout but the whole country is.
"SABC is killing the sport by not showing boxing fights.
"Ordinary South Africans who are poor can no longer watch boxing tournaments.
"Boxing used to be one of the most watched sporting codes in the past because ordinary people, who are in the majority, could watch it on Saturday and Sunday afternoons."
Attempts to speak to SABC group communications boss Kaizer Kganyago were unsuccessful yesterday as his mobile phone was continuously on voice-mail.
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