IBA can be the launch pad for future South African boxing world champions, says Ndongeni

Xolisani Ndongeni believes the International Boxing Association (IBA) could be the springboard South African boxers have been yearning for to further their professional careers. 

Ndongeni (33-7, 19 KOs) was one of the main attractions at the IBA.Pro 7 card at the Rixos Tersane Istanbul where he was called up as a late replacement after former world title challenger Shohjahon Ergashev pulled out injured ahead of the WBA Intercontinental junior welterweight title fight against the big-punching Hovhannes Bachkov.

Despite the 35-year-old, who is known locally as “Nomeva The Wasp”, only having one week to prepare for the fight, he still managed to put up a solid showing against Bachkov by pushing the 2020 Armenian Olympic bronze medalist Bachkov to nine rounds before his corner threw in the towel. 

“It is one of those things, you know, that's boxing, that's sport. You win some, you lose some,” Ndongeni exclusively told Independent Media.

“Respect to the champion, he did well, you know. For myself, I pushed, I did well, I have no excuses. I'm not complaining.

“I saw what happened in the ring. And yeah, I believe that I did good for myself, for this particular time that I had to prepare for the fight. Just one week!

“Yeah, they called me on Monday. They said, next week. ‘I'm like, next week? 

Okay, at least I have like 14 days.’ No, next Wednesday. But you know what, I'm a fighter, I have a fight in me.”

The  IBA.Pro 7 card followed up a spectacular day with the launch of the IBA ‘Golden Era’ earlier in the day with former heavyweight champions Tyson Fury and David Haye in attendance along with American multi-weight champion Terrence Crawford. 

Ndongeni was elated that he had the chance to step in the ring before such boxing legends and feels that more South African boxers could be granted opportunities under the auspices of the IBA. 

“This don't come every time, you know,” he said. “Being in South Africa sometimes is really difficult. We have a lot of talent, a lot of boxers, a lot of good boxers that can be champions. But opportunities like this, they don't come to many of us.

“I'm blessed to be one of the boxers that are getting something now and then, you know. Most of the boxers are struggling, but they are good. So if we can get this opportunity for more of us, not me. Not me alone, you know, more of us. 

“We can have a lot of champions. You know, fighting on a big stage like this, the likes of ‘Gypsy King’ (Tyson Fury), Terrence Crawford, and all these guys that we watch from TV and stuff.

“It's a big thing to be a part of them, you know. It gives hope, you know, a lot.

“And obviously, seeing that these guys appreciate what we do also. But they don't know us. They see us once because we don't come every now and then to boxing stages.

“You know, we are South Africa. We are in the bottom of Africa and no one goes there. No one checks what's happening in there.

“I can tell you that we have a lot of talent. We have a lot of future champions that can be champions. But someone needs to go and get something there."