EAST LONDON fight fans are grumbling that Mthatha-born Simphiwe Konco does not deserve to be a South African champion.
Boxing enthusiasts argue that the time has come for Konco's South African mini-flyweight title to return to Buffalo City.
Lutho Nkonki from Enothole Boxing Club in Mdantsane has raised his hand in response to his home town's call.
Nkonki challenges Konco during a voluntary defence scheduled for the Mthatha Hall on Sunday - and his trainer, Boyboy Mpulampula, is confident of victory.
"We are not taking anything away from Konco and we respect him both as a person and a champion. But Lutho is ready to be crowned the new South African champion," Mpulampula said yesterday.
Mpulampula's stable needs to win to atone for what happened to Nkosinathi "Mabhere" Joyi, who surrendered his International Boxing Federation minimumweight crown to Mario Rodriguez in Mexico earlier this month.
Konco became the first male boxer from Mthatha to win an SA title when he stopped Bongani Mfundisi in the seventh round at East London's Orient Theatre on June 2.
The title was vacant after the late Siviwe Ntsiko relinquished it for medical reasons just a few days before he was scheduled to fight Konco in April.
"This was Ntsiko's title and it belongs to our stable as he was one of my boxers," said Mpulampula.
The veteran trainer said Nkonki sparred with Bongani Silila and Mxolisi Mbha, who are both southpaws like Konco, while preparing for Sunday's contest.
Konco's handlers are quietly preparing the champion. Trainer Madoda "One More Time" Dyonase said: "We are going to do our talking inside the ring."
Nkonki answers the call
EAST LONDON fight fans are grumbling that Mthatha-born Simphiwe Konco does not deserve to be a South African champion.
Boxing enthusiasts argue that the time has come for Konco's South African mini-flyweight title to return to Buffalo City.
Lutho Nkonki from Enothole Boxing Club in Mdantsane has raised his hand in response to his home town's call.
Nkonki challenges Konco during a voluntary defence scheduled for the Mthatha Hall on Sunday - and his trainer, Boyboy Mpulampula, is confident of victory.
"We are not taking anything away from Konco and we respect him both as a person and a champion. But Lutho is ready to be crowned the new South African champion," Mpulampula said yesterday.
Mpulampula's stable needs to win to atone for what happened to Nkosinathi "Mabhere" Joyi, who surrendered his International Boxing Federation minimumweight crown to Mario Rodriguez in Mexico earlier this month.
Konco became the first male boxer from Mthatha to win an SA title when he stopped Bongani Mfundisi in the seventh round at East London's Orient Theatre on June 2.
The title was vacant after the late Siviwe Ntsiko relinquished it for medical reasons just a few days before he was scheduled to fight Konco in April.
"This was Ntsiko's title and it belongs to our stable as he was one of my boxers," said Mpulampula.
The veteran trainer said Nkonki sparred with Bongani Silila and Mxolisi Mbha, who are both southpaws like Konco, while preparing for Sunday's contest.
Konco's handlers are quietly preparing the champion. Trainer Madoda "One More Time" Dyonase said: "We are going to do our talking inside the ring."
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