NONGQAYI-ARCE DATE FINALLY SET
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 11 Jan 2009
The on-off IBF junior bantamweight title eliminator between undefeated Siphiwo Nongqayi (14-0, 6 KO's)and Mexican Francisco "Panchito" Arce (28-4-2, 19 KO's) has finally been set for February 28 in Toluca, Mexico.
Well-known WBC "International Promoter of the Year" Branco Milenkovic informed www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports that the fight which was originally scheduled for November last year and was postponed indefinitely because Nongqayi couldn't secure a visa on time will now push through.
The fight will be the biggest in the career of the South African who is the reigning World Boxing Foundation (WBF) champion as he will face the talented younger brother of the well-known Mexican warrior Jorge Arce who will battle Vic Darchinyan for the WBA/WBC/IBF super flyweight titles in February 7.
Arce is remembered for having destroyed Nongqayi's stablemate Masibulele "Hawk" Makepula in four rounds on September 23, 2006.
Milenkovic who is Nongqayi's new promoter said Mexican promoter Fernando Beltran's Zanfer Promotions has finally managed to secure the date for the clash.
Milenkovic, who has emerged as the leading promoter in South Africa said "I'm glad Nongqayi will finally get his opportunity to make good his dreams of challenging for a legitimate world title."
Interestingly, the winner between Nongqayi and Arce will challenge the winner of IBF, WBA, WBC clash between Francisco's brother Jorge and Australian Vic Darchinyan, who are scheduled to meet in the US on February 7.
Milenkovic also revealed that another of his fighters southpaw Vusi "Marvelous" Malinga (18-2-1, 11 KO's) will finally get a crack at WBC bantamweight champion Hozumi Hasegawa (25-2, 9 KO's) also a southpaw in Japan on March 12.
Malinga earned the title shot after he defeated Thai legend Veeraphol Sahaprom, scoring a 4th round TKOin Nonthaburi, Thailand last June 12. The South African has waited patiently to get a crack at Hasegawa who beat compatriot Simpiwe Vertyeka in 2006.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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