Joyi eyes triumph in Monaco

South Africa’s pound-for-pound boxer will trade leather with Rey “The Hitman” Loreto of The Philippines for the vacant International Boxing Organisation title on February 2, at the Salle des Etoiles in Monte Carlo.

Joyi’s new trainer Gert Strydom was optimistic about a positive outcome on foreign soil and had been working hard preparing for his charge for the encounter.

“Joyi will definitely bring the IBO title home. We have done everything we were supposed to do in making sure we come home victorious,” Strydom said this week.

“We have studied Loreto’s videos and we know what to expect from him. Come the fight day we will deliver.”

According to the Gauteng-based trainer, the WBA Pan Asian junior-flyweight champion would not give him any sleepless nights as Joyi would be carrying all the ammunition needed to destroy the Filipino boxer.

“We have a respect for him. Loreto is a tough, forward-coming fighter but Joyi is a much heavier puncher than him.”

Although Joyi packed more punching power than his counterpart, his camp was not aiming for a knockout.

“The boy (Loreto) is not a runner. Even if he is punished, he keeps on coming and once he fights on the back foot, we will know the end is near,” Strydom said.

“We are not going to underestimate him because boxers from that part of the world have a big heart.”

On paper, the Mdantsane-born southpaw has more chance of capturing the IBO crown than his rival. Joyi’s impressive record included 24 victories, and two defeats from 27 outings, while Loreto had recorded 17 wins and 13 losses.

Strydom said he had cancelled his holiday plans to prepare for the contest and had nothing else on his mind other than a victory.

“The preparations have been going well. We have been in intensive training for the past three weeks and everything has been going according to plan.

“We will come back with the belt.”

The Joyi camp leave for Monaco on January 25.

– Sapa