Boxing SA sanctions Mboyiya-Dlamini mismatch

The contentious non-title eight-round junior welterweight boxing mismatch between vastly experienced and durable former SA champion Aphiwe “Swagger” Mboyiya and newcomer Lindokuhle “Hitman” Dlamini is back on, relieved promoter Mzi Booi has confirmed.

“We are excited the fight is going ahead. Boxing SA sent me the letter confirming that bout has been sanctioned,” said Booi whose KayB Promotions will stage the fight at East London's Orient Theatre on Saturday.

Boxing SA's sanctioning committee, comprising chairman Irvin Buhlalu, Tinyiko Nkatingi, Masibulele Makepula and Droeks Malan, had justifiably refused to give the go ahead to that unfair contest.

The issue was the committee's inconsistency and the timing behind its decision when the tournament is only a week away. Matchmaker Luyanda Kana was unable to find replacements on such a short notice.

Promoters are required by regulations to submit their applications with Boxing SA 30 days before the event to prevent such obstacles. At times the office of the director of operations receives applications in time, but forwards them to the sanctioning committee very late.

The truth, though, is that the fight between Mboyiya and Dlamini is not evenly matched based on the two fighters' resumés. Mboyiya is too experienced — a former SA featherweight and junior-lightweight champion with 18 victories, nine knockouts, against six losses and a draw.

He has been in there with big names including Oscar Chauke, Jasper Seroka, Mabhuti Sinyabi, Tshifhiwa Munyai and Khaya Busakwe.

Chauke, Seroka and Sinyabi have hung up their gloves while Busakwe is the reigning SA lightweight champion. Munyai, 39, has seen his better days but he is still in the game, collecting pension with fights outside SA.

Mboyiya, 30, is rated No 4 for the SA junior welterweight belt that is held by Ntethelelo “Baby G” Nkosi.

On the other hand, 26-year-old Dlamini is a former junior welterweight and welterweight KwaZulu-Natal champion. A promising novice of only four wins, two defeats and a draw.

Buhlalu said that they were being cautious and their decision was informed by the disparity between the two boxers' experience and quality of opponents.

“We had to let the fight go ahead due to to pressure,” said the former SA lightweight boxing champ who sounded perturbed. “It is not that we did not want the fight to happen but we wanted to protect Dlamini who is still up and coming.”

Dlamini's promoter Sandile Vilakazi who was peeved by the committee's decision to turn down the fight, said: “This fight will make Dlamini grow. We will also be able to gauge his level. This fight will give clarity if he can be a junior welterweight champion.”

The main bout will be a 12-rounder between SA featherweight champion Zolisa Batyi and Abudulaziz Kunert. It's a rematch; they drew in their first fight in August last year and Batyi retained the belt by virtue of being the champion.

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