Shongwe brings Indian champ to spice up local boxing in Durban tourney

History in local professional boxing will be made on November 17 in Durban when a boxer from Gurgaon in India features in an international boxing tournament that will be staged by The Walt Disney Company SA.

SA has hosted many boxers from around the globe. Last month Kennedy Sait Pierre from Mauritius made his debut at Turffontein Racecourse where he lost to Shaun Potgieter in a heavyweight fight.

ESPN Africa has also given opportunities to fighters in many African states. This time promoter Sfiso Shongwe is bringing Sihva Singh from India to spice up local boxing flavour.

“To get an Indian boxer to come full circle in the local boxing market is a step in the right direction,” he said.

Singh, 27, will challenge IBF International junior middleweight champion SA-based Congolese Emmany “The General” Kalombo in the main fight.

Kalombo, who is trained by Daminen Durandt, is a knockout artist with 16 knockouts in 17 wins against a loss. He will welcome Singh who has 16 wins, three losses and a draw.

Singh is a WBC Asia Continental super middleweight champion. “He will lower his weight to challenge Kalombo,” said Shongwe.

The tournament will include charismatic Xolisani “Nomeva” Ndongeni and talented former IBO junior featherweight champion Ludumo “9mm” Lamati.

Ndongeni will welcome Apinun Khongsong from Thailand for a non-title 10 rounder in the junior welterweight division. Shongwe said Ndongeni is chasing after Khongsong’s top 100 rating.

He said Lamati will take on Mark Anthony Geraldo from the Philippines over 10 rounds in the featherweight division. This means that Lamati has come down in weight.

“It is exciting that we are able to provide opportunities to fighters not only locals but other African states,” said Shongwe. “But we want locals to dominate and not just feature in these shows.”

Kalombo won his title in Shongwe’s tournament with a seventh-round stoppage of Rayton Okwiri in Sandton on June 30.