Sikho fights for African title

Kyalami boxer, Sikho ‘Sequence’ Nqothole is gearing up to fight for his second title.

The 25-year-old will fight for the International Boxing Organisation’s Africa junior bantamweight title against a Tanzanian, Jemsi Kibazange.

The fight will be held where Nqothole grew up, in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, on 23 November.

Nqothole is a little less experienced, having fought 14 professional fights (12 wins and two losses) compared to Kibazange’s 18 (12 wins, four losses and two draws).

Nqothole has also fought all his fights in only two and a half years, a very short time in modern boxing.

He previously held the World Boxing Association title for his weight division, but lost it to the current South African champion, Sabelo Ngebinyana, in November last year.

“I feel good and strong going into this fight,” Nqothole told the Midrand Reporter between sparring rounds at the Alan Toweel Boxing Gym in Linden.

“I have a game plan against every opponent, I am always prepared. I am always putting in more work.”

He added that he did not underestimate any opponent.

Nqothole’s trainer, Alan Toweel said it would not be an easy fight. “I have seen him [Kibazange] fight. He is a strong, come-forward fighter. This is an even match-up,” Toweel added.

“If Sikho can win, it will be another belt for him but there is still a long way ahead for him. He will need to have defence fights and then we will see him grow from there.”

Toweel said on the two occasions that Nqothole had lost professional fights, although one was a knockout, they were both very close and Nqothole showed determination to fight into the later rounds.

Related article:

https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/162888/boxing-in-rabie-ridge/