PROMOTER Mzimasi Mnguni breathed a sigh of relief when Silvester "Stallone" Lopez finally touched down at East London Airport yesterday.
The Filipino fighter was meant to have landed on Tuesday, but Mnguni said Lopez missed a connecting flight from Hong Kong.
Lopez is in the country to fight Thabo "Madluphuthu" Sonjica for the vacant IBO junior-featherweight title at East London's Orient Theatre on Saturday night.
"My stress level went up and I was unable to sleep. I just saw a disaster ahead for the sponsors," said Mnguni.
"But I'm a happy man now. I'm sure that Thabo and boxing fans will also be relieved to hear that Lopez is here."
Mnguni said it was about time Sonjica joined the long list of boxers who won world championship belts under his guidance. The list includes Welcome "Hawk" Ncita and Vuyani "The Beast" Bungu, who both won the IBF junior- featherweight title.
The 25-year-old Lopez, from Paranaque City, Manila, is a former WBC International and Silver super flyweight champion with 20 wins (15 KOs) against five defeats and two draws.
Sonjica, 24, from Duncan Village, is the current national junior-featherweight titlist with 17 wins (12 KOs) against three losses.
Mnguni's bill boasts seven bouts that will all be televised live by SuperSport from 8pm.
Filipino fighter checks in
PROMOTER Mzimasi Mnguni breathed a sigh of relief when Silvester "Stallone" Lopez finally touched down at East London Airport yesterday.
The Filipino fighter was meant to have landed on Tuesday, but Mnguni said Lopez missed a connecting flight from Hong Kong.
Lopez is in the country to fight Thabo "Madluphuthu" Sonjica for the vacant IBO junior-featherweight title at East London's Orient Theatre on Saturday night.
"My stress level went up and I was unable to sleep. I just saw a disaster ahead for the sponsors," said Mnguni.
"But I'm a happy man now. I'm sure that Thabo and boxing fans will also be relieved to hear that Lopez is here."
Mnguni said it was about time Sonjica joined the long list of boxers who won world championship belts under his guidance. The list includes Welcome "Hawk" Ncita and Vuyani "The Beast" Bungu, who both won the IBF junior- featherweight title.
The 25-year-old Lopez, from Paranaque City, Manila, is a former WBC International and Silver super flyweight champion with 20 wins (15 KOs) against five defeats and two draws.
Sonjica, 24, from Duncan Village, is the current national junior-featherweight titlist with 17 wins (12 KOs) against three losses.
Mnguni's bill boasts seven bouts that will all be televised live by SuperSport from 8pm.
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