Rodney Berman and Jim Claude Manangquil, Filipino boxing’s top power broker, spent much of the weekend talking.
At issue was the possibility of Siya Kuse, the WBC number two minimumweight, fighting Joey Canoy, the number three, in an official final eliminator – provided the WBC gives its blessing.
Kuse is on a hot run
Kuse is on a hot run, having annexed the WBC Silver belt in a rousing fight with Beaven Sibanda five months ago, while Canoy extended his seven-fight unbeaten run with a knockout victory on Saturday night that earned him the WBC International title.
Ironically, his last defeat was against Nhlanhla Tyirha, who was soundly beaten by Sibanda in Cape Town at the weekend.
“If we get approval, I’d look at doing it here in September or October,” said Berman, who early on Tuesday began petitioning the WBC.
It could potentially lead to a challenge for the full WBC belt against Jerusalem, not least because Manangquil also manages the champion. In yet another twist, Canoy beat the selfsame Jerusalem eight years ago, adding a spicy sub-plot to developments.
Jerusalem is believed to be in unification talks with Oscar Collazo, the WBA and WBO champion, who controversially beat him two years ago.
Of course, all of this will be moot if Kuse fails to do the business against WBO number nine Samuel Salva in the “Coronation” card at Emperors Palace on May 31. From what might have once been viewed as a keep-busy fight now looms as a potential bump in the road for the slick South African.
Meanwhile, Berman will move Sibanda up to junior flyweight, reckoning that he will be super strong in the higher division, likening him in style to Nick Ball, the bullocking WBA featherweight champion.
Sibanda’s stock went up at the weekend and he, too, will be manoeuvred into a title shot before long.
Rated 13th by the WBA, he will next feature on the “Rising Titans” card in July, fighting for the WBC International Silver belt.
