ODDS STACKED AGAINST NONGQAYI IN TITLE FIGHT AGAINST ARCE
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 24 Sep 2011
The odds are heavily stacked against former IBF flyweight champion Simphiwe Nongqayi who battles Jorge ?Travieso? Arce for the WBO junior featherweight title in Mexico on Sunday, Manila Time.
At the official weigh in on the eve of the fight Arce tipped the scales at the 122 pound limit while Nongqayi came in one pound under at 121.
Although Nongqayi outpointed Arce in a IBF junior bantamweight title fight in September 2009 the 39 year old South African is moving up two weight divisions and in addition is coming off a 14 month layoff, both of which are expected to work against him in a fight with a renowned ring warrior like Arce.
The colorful and popular Arce is bound to have the fans rooting for him as he tries to avenge his loss and a loss by his brother Francisco also to Nongqayi who has a record of 17-1-1 with 6 knockouts..
Boxing writer Ron Jackson of SuperSport in South Africa says he expects ?an emotion-charged atmosphere at the Foro Promocasa in Mexicali where Nongqayi will have to produce one of the biggest shocks of the year to win the title. ?
The 32 year old Arce, a former WBC light-flyweight, flyweight, super-flyweight and WBO super-flyweight champion, will make the first defense of the belt that he won when he stopped previously unbeaten Wilfredo Vazquez Jr of Puerto Rico in the twelfth round.
Jackson reported that Nongqayi's career went downhill after his outstanding victory over Arce. He battled to a 12-round draw in his first defense against Malik Bouziane of France and in his most recent fight, on July 31 last year, he lost the belt when he was stopped in the sixth round by Mexican Juan Alberto Rosas.
Arce, in contrast, remained unbeaten in his next six fights after losing to Nongqayi. He beat Angky Angkota for the vacant WBO super-flyweight belt, Cecilo Santos (KO 7) and Martin Castillo (KO 1), drew against Lorenzo Parra and knocked out Adolfo Ramos in the first round.
However, the well-known boxing writer posed the question as to ? how the WBO sanctioned the fight after Nongqayi?s inactivity is a mystery, especially because he has never fought at junior featherweight.?
The WBO website shows that Nongqayi is ranked only at No 15 of the division.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 03 Feb 2026“I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026WILDER AND CHISORA FACE OFF IN ICONIC TIMES SQUARE TO ANNOUNCE APRIL 4 HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN AT THE O2 LONDON
Tue, 03 Feb 2026World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Sullivan Management signs 19-1 power-punching Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Another Grandeza in MMA is coming
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Gracie meets Zubiri in PH
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 02 Feb 2026International Master Eric Labog Jr. rules FIDE rapid chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 02 Feb 202676ers star Paul George has been suspended for 25 NBA games by doping
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 01 Feb 2026