Joyi and Makabu ready for fight of their life

NKOSINATHI Joyi might have lost to Hekkie Budler in their tussle for a world title, but his dreams flared up when he received a chance of a lifetime to fight for the vacant IBO light-flyweight title.

Budler fought off Joyi’s challenge for the IBO minimum weight title and was left empty-handed, but CEO of Golden Gloves Promotions, Rodney Berman, has opened another door for the boxer from the Eastern Cape.

Joyi (24-2, 17 KO’s), will meet Rey Loreto (17-13, 9 KO’s) of the Philippines to determine the new champion on Saturday February 1 in Monte Carlo Boxing Bonanza bill.

Ilunga “Junior” Makabu will tussle against the unbeaten Ruben Angel Mino Argentinia. Makabu (15-1, 14 KO’s), who hails from the Democratic Republic of Congo and is based in South Africa, will come up against Mino (20-0, 20 KO’s) and this is his chance to show his mettle.

Both fighters are on the undercard of WBA, and IBO middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin’s (28-0, 25 KO’s) title defence is against Osumanu Adama (22-3, 16 KO’s) of Ghana.

Joyi, who is one of South Africa’s best boxers of late and a big favourite at boxing tournaments at Emperors Palace, has switched to Gert Strydom from the South as his new trainer.

“We have to get Joyi up there once again as he is one of our country’s best boxers. We have also decided to change weights which will be more suitable for him,” said Strydom.

Well known trainer Harold Volbrecht said: “Junior has plenty of sparring partners at the gym and we have trained well for this fight. He is a good boxer and if we manage him well he can become even better. He is already in the weight limit and that proves that his mind is in the right place.”

It is only a question of time when Makabu will be named as the number one contender in the WBA following current number one Kolodziej signing to challenge for the IBF belt.