Boxing Snippets

Title path opens up for ‘Nomeva’

Rodney Berman’s strong partnership with Art Pelullo of Banner Promotions looks like paying off again.

Pelullo’s lightweight fighter, Petr Petrov, the WBA number one, has decided to go the WBO route instead and will challenge Terry Flanagan for the WBO championship in April. As a consequence, the path to the WBA title is cleared for Xolisani Ndongeni, the WBA number three contender.

WBA champion Jorge Linares (pictured, left) is fighting number four Ant Crolla (pictured, right) in a rematch in March – conditional, says Berman, on confirming the winner will meet ‘Nomeva’ in their next fight.

The unbeaten South African is thus on the cusp of challenging for a major belt. It’s a big step up for the 26-year-old, but in establishing a 22-0 record, he has never remotely looked like losing.

“It may take a few months, but we’re very confident,” said Berman. “The lightweight division is very vibrant and we’re determined to be in the thick of it.”

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