Battle of the locals

Intense rivalry will be at play when Macbute “Macman” Sinyabi steps into the ring with Azinga “Golden Boy” Fuzile at the Orient Theatre in East London on Friday night.

At stake in the bout, dubbed the Battle of the Locals, will be Sinyabi’s SA featherweight title.

The fight has been on the lips of fans for some time as it will pit experience against youth.

At 29, Sinyabi, who is from Mdantsane, East London, will come face to face with Fuzile, the undefeated 19-year-old novice from nearby Duncan Village.

The hype is usually huge whenever combatants from these two areas collide.

And the clash between Sinyabi and Fuzile has divided the fans not only in the Eastern Cape, but in the rest of the country.

Both are extremely skilful, but of particular interest is the fact that they have contrasting fight records – a feature that is bound to make their encounter exhilarating.

“Macman” boasts 29 wins (20 knockouts) and four losses from 33 bouts. He also holds the International Boxing Organisation (IBO) intercontinental belt.

Golden Boy, a Grade 11 pupil, is undefeated in four bouts since he started campaigning in the paid ranks two years ago.

Sinyabi is a puncher of note. He has demonstrated this by forcing 20 of his foes to hit the deck.

His last outing saw him beat Indonesian Rivo Rengkung on points for the IBO crown at Emerald Casino last month.

Boxing is often characterised by upsets, so it won’t be surprising to see a new national champion in Fuzile.

He was in his element in his last bout when he stopped Aphiwe Kelewu in April.

Macman is confident that he’ll give a good showing.

“I won’t take him lightly because I believe he comes forward all the time. I intend to win with a knockout,” said Sinyabi.

Fuzile is looking forward to what will so far be the biggest fight of his career.

“I have not stopped training since the fight was announced,” he said.

“I owe it to my fans to dethrone the man whom I respect as a good fighter. I know how he fights and I will be too good for him,” said Fuzile.

The main fight on the undercard at the Xaba Promotions tournament will be an eight-round light flyweight contest between former national champion Nkosinathi “Mabere” Joyi and Fikile “Little Tyson” Mlonyeni.

Both are from Mdantsane.

Joyi last fought in April, when he beat Luyanda Kwankwa on points.

Mlonyeni beat Thabang Ramagole in an eighth-round technical knockout last month.

In another slugfest, Mfundo Gwayana and Thembelani Nxoshe will exchange blows for the vacant South Africa and World Boxing Organisation flyweight crowns.

And then there will be an IBF junior featherweight youth championship 10-round scrap between Sinethemba Bam and Ayanda Nkosi.

Three more six-round contests will complete the card.