Just a few years ago Nkosinathi "Mabere" Joyi was a revered pugilist who carried the hopes of not only fight fans in Eastern Cape but all of South Africa because he ruled the minimum weight division.

He ruled this class as the SA, IBO and IBF champion.

These days he lounges in the "last chance saloon" after defeats to Mexican Mario Rodriguez, countryman Hekkie Budler and the Philippines' Rey Loreto.

Joyi's last chance to prove he still belongs in the paid ranks has surprisingly been offered by Loreto, who is so confident of beating Joyi that he has offered to fight him in his back yard - the Mdantsane Indoor Centre, outside East London - on Sunday.

Joyi's promoter Siphatho Handi said he had read the riot act to his 32-year-old charge.

"This one determines if Nkosinathi still continues as a boxer or he does something else with his life," Handi said yesterday.

"It is very rare that a boxer who beat you will give you a chance in your back yard, so Nkosinathi must win."

Joyi, a left-hander, was stopped in the third round by Loreto for the IBO junior flyweight belt in Monaco on February 1 last year. The South African has not fought since then.

Loreto is a journeyman with 13 losses from 31 fights.

Handi has somehow convinced him to fight Joyi again, this time in Eastern Cape, of all places.

In other bouts of the tournament on Sunday, Mzonke Fana and Takalani Ndlovu will defend their WBA Pan African junior lightweight and featherweight belts against Koos Sibiya and Aphiwe Mboyiya, respectively.

IBO International bantamweight holder Mxolisi Nombewu will face WBF International champion Mfusi Maxhayi, while Siviwe Hasheni will make a mandatory defence of his South African junior featherweight title against Bongani Mahlangu.

Action will begin at 2pm.