Former world champion Nkosinathi Joyi is unable to fight DeeJay Kriel next month, citing personal reasons.
Kriel was due to defend his WBC International minimumweight crown against his local rival at Emperors Palace. Joyi’s withdrawal thus presents an opportunity for another star from the Eastern Cape in the form of Siphosethu Ncisana (8-1-1), who holds the marginal WBF International belt.
Little is known about Ncisana but reports from his title-winning bout in 2015 were favourable, commending his speed and power against Ndikho Magadaza.
Meanwhile, promoter Rodney Berman, still stewing over the hatchet job done on Hekkie Budler at this weekend, has promised not to leave him in the cold. He isn’t hanging about waiting for the IBF to do anything about the absurd officiating, preferring to throw his lot in with the WBC.
Next week Golden Gloves will attend the WBC convention in Azerbaijan; top of the agenda will be a lofty ranking for Budler. “I’m confident of doing so,” said Berman, committing to giving Budler a spot on a February bill at Emperors Palace. His intention, as a first step, is to have Budler contest one of the WBC’s secondary belts before going full tilt later in 2018.
He’s also busy lining up prospect opponents for Kevin Lerena’s first IBO cruiserweight defence.
