ALL good things come to an end.
That stern warning was issued yesterday by boxing promoter Mzimasi Mnguni when he summed up Sunday afternoon's South African junior featherweight championship bout between reigning champion Macbute Sinyabi and mandatory challenger Thabo Sonjica.
It will be Sinyabi's 10th defence of a title he has held since March 2 2008. Seven of his defences were knockout wins - two of them against Sonjica, who fights out of Mnguni's Eyethu Gym in Mdantsane.
But Mnguni, who will present the championship bout at the Mdantsane Indoor Sports Centre, is cocksure that Sonjica will end Sinyabi's reign.
"Sinyabi has had his time in the sun. All good things come to an end and the title will exchange hands," he said.
As trainer Mnguni produced the first South African IBF champion in 1990 when Welcome "The Hawk" Ncita won the junior-featherweight belt from Fabrice Benichou in Israel.
Mnguni also guided Vuyani "The Beast" Bungu to a record 13 defences of the same belt that was held by Ncita. His fighters today are trained by Dokes Segonyela.
"I was heavily involved this time, especially in the technical side of Thabo's preparations, while Dokes worked on the physical aspect," said Mnguni, adding that Sonjica "lacked something" when he was knocked out by Sinyabi - in the first and fifth rounds - in his two previous title challenges.
"We have identified the problem and the result will show on Sunday," he warned.
But Nick Durandt, Sinyabi's respected trainer, said the only difference Mnguni can make is by putting a "motorbike helmet" on Sonjica's head "otherwise he's gona get knocked out again".
"I'd actually love to see Mnguni in the opposite corner, unlike sitting in the stands like he is a big deal," said the Gauteng-based trainer who produced South Africa's first WBC champion in Thulani "Sugarboy" Malinga who won the super middleweight belt from Nigel Benn in 1996.
"I don't underestimate Sonjica at all. We are ready for 12 rounds if Sonjica is ready to take our power, but there will be no third time lucky."
Sinyabi, from Mdantsane, boasts 18 KOs from 20 wins against two losses while Sonjica has 12 knockouts from 16 victories against two defeats.
lAphiwa Mboyiya will defend his national featherweight title against Lucky Khwaza in the main supporting bout.
There will be three more bouts, all on SuperSport from 2 pm.
Grand clash: Sinyabi faces Sonjica again
ALL good things come to an end.
That stern warning was issued yesterday by boxing promoter Mzimasi Mnguni when he summed up Sunday afternoon's South African junior featherweight championship bout between reigning champion Macbute Sinyabi and mandatory challenger Thabo Sonjica.
It will be Sinyabi's 10th defence of a title he has held since March 2 2008. Seven of his defences were knockout wins - two of them against Sonjica, who fights out of Mnguni's Eyethu Gym in Mdantsane.
But Mnguni, who will present the championship bout at the Mdantsane Indoor Sports Centre, is cocksure that Sonjica will end Sinyabi's reign.
"Sinyabi has had his time in the sun. All good things come to an end and the title will exchange hands," he said.
As trainer Mnguni produced the first South African IBF champion in 1990 when Welcome "The Hawk" Ncita won the junior-featherweight belt from Fabrice Benichou in Israel.
Mnguni also guided Vuyani "The Beast" Bungu to a record 13 defences of the same belt that was held by Ncita. His fighters today are trained by Dokes Segonyela.
"I was heavily involved this time, especially in the technical side of Thabo's preparations, while Dokes worked on the physical aspect," said Mnguni, adding that Sonjica "lacked something" when he was knocked out by Sinyabi - in the first and fifth rounds - in his two previous title challenges.
"We have identified the problem and the result will show on Sunday," he warned.
But Nick Durandt, Sinyabi's respected trainer, said the only difference Mnguni can make is by putting a "motorbike helmet" on Sonjica's head "otherwise he's gona get knocked out again".
"I'd actually love to see Mnguni in the opposite corner, unlike sitting in the stands like he is a big deal," said the Gauteng-based trainer who produced South Africa's first WBC champion in Thulani "Sugarboy" Malinga who won the super middleweight belt from Nigel Benn in 1996.
"I don't underestimate Sonjica at all. We are ready for 12 rounds if Sonjica is ready to take our power, but there will be no third time lucky."
Sinyabi, from Mdantsane, boasts 18 KOs from 20 wins against two losses while Sonjica has 12 knockouts from 16 victories against two defeats.
lAphiwa Mboyiya will defend his national featherweight title against Lucky Khwaza in the main supporting bout.
There will be three more bouts, all on SuperSport from 2 pm.
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