THE widely publicised three-month marriage between IBO junior lightweight champion Zolani "Untouchable" Marali and businessman Butityi Konki is over.
THE widely publicised three-month marriage between IBO junior lightweight champion Zolani "Untouchable" Marali and businessman Butityi Konki is over.
A horde of journalists attended the exchange of vows in April. It coincided with Marali's move from Nick Durandt to Colin Nathan but the announcement was that he was to fight for the IBO belt.
Brian Mitchell was also announced as Marali's manager. It was during that moment that Konki's Investment Holdings appeared in the picture as Marali's sponsor.
Marali yesterday confirmed parting ways with Konki but the fighter from Mdantsane made it clear that there was no bad blood between him and Konki, who is from KwaNobuhle in Port Elizabeth.
"He wanted to be my manager but I told him that Brian Mitchell is my manager," he said.
But Konki, who raised eyebrows a few months back when he announced that he would pay his charge, Philip "Time Bomb" Ndou, R20000 a month, with or without a fight, said he had no ties to Marali.
"I had a one-fight deal with him and that was for the IBO belt. I have always known that Brian Mitchell is his manager," he said.
"I sponsored Marali. Our deal was to buy him fighting gear. I did all that and went an extra mile by paying him R5000 as an incentive.
"I have a different arrangement with Phillip Ndou and Simphiwe "V12" Vetyeka. I am their business manager and sponsor. I also pay them a monthly salary. I am not in this boxing business to poach other managers' or trainers' boxers," Konki said.
Marali cuts ties with konki
THE widely publicised three-month marriage between IBO junior lightweight champion Zolani "Untouchable" Marali and businessman Butityi Konki is over.
THE widely publicised three-month marriage between IBO junior lightweight champion Zolani "Untouchable" Marali and businessman Butityi Konki is over.
A horde of journalists attended the exchange of vows in April. It coincided with Marali's move from Nick Durandt to Colin Nathan but the announcement was that he was to fight for the IBO belt.
Brian Mitchell was also announced as Marali's manager. It was during that moment that Konki's Investment Holdings appeared in the picture as Marali's sponsor.
Marali yesterday confirmed parting ways with Konki but the fighter from Mdantsane made it clear that there was no bad blood between him and Konki, who is from KwaNobuhle in Port Elizabeth.
"He wanted to be my manager but I told him that Brian Mitchell is my manager," he said.
But Konki, who raised eyebrows a few months back when he announced that he would pay his charge, Philip "Time Bomb" Ndou, R20000 a month, with or without a fight, said he had no ties to Marali.
"I had a one-fight deal with him and that was for the IBO belt. I have always known that Brian Mitchell is his manager," he said.
"I sponsored Marali. Our deal was to buy him fighting gear. I did all that and went an extra mile by paying him R5000 as an incentive.
"I have a different arrangement with Phillip Ndou and Simphiwe "V12" Vetyeka. I am their business manager and sponsor. I also pay them a monthly salary. I am not in this boxing business to poach other managers' or trainers' boxers," Konki said.