Andrew Muchineripi : Boxing
Welcome Ncita and Sugarboy Malinga could be nicknamed the comeback twins for both are making returns to the ring after long layoffs.
Ncita (32) is scheduled to fight Hector Lizaragga, the number one contender for the IBF featherweight title vacated by the British wonderboy Naseem “Prince” Hamed. The bout is set for Miami on Saturday.
Malinga challenges the hard-hitting and unbeaten British super-middleweight idol Robin Reid at the London Arena on December 19. Both Ncita (39-2) and Malinga (41 victories, 17 via stoppages, 10 losses) have reached the crossroads of their careers and victory would be a Christmasbonus for either of them but defeat could signal an end to their careers.
Ncita last fought in January when he beat Mexican Narcizo Valenzuela on a third round knockout, while Malinga has been inactive for 17 months.
Ncita dethroned Fabrice Benichou in Israel in 1990 but lost his crown to former American Olympic gold medalist Kennedy McKinney.
However, Ncita’s stablemate Vuyani Bungu brought the glory back to Mzi Mnguni’s stable when he outpointed McKinney at the Carousel and has successfully defended the title 10 times.
Malinga outpointed Nigel Benn in July 1996 in Manchester but lost a controversial decision in his first defence to Italian Vicenzo Nardiello on points. Nardiello subsequently lost the title to Reid.
Ncita would seem to have a better chance of victory than Malinga who will be making his seventh attempt at a world title. At 31, Lizaragga has a record of eight defeats, five draws and 33 wins.
The danger for the South Africans lies in the fact that they would be rusty after such a long layoff and at the age of 38 Malinga can’t be the same as when he won the title two years ago.
However, trainer Nick Durandt believes the Ladysmith-born challenger has a strong chance of causing another upset saying Malinga does well when coming in as an outsider.
Malinga is experienced but lacks a killer punch which is required at his age, while Ncita is a clever boxer-fighter. But whether he can retain his skills of yesterday remains to be seen.
Hamed opted to relinquish the title because he could not accommodate Lizaragga in his plans. The British boxer, the biggest drawcard in Britain, is fighting for megabucks.
My heart would love either of the two to win, but my brain says age and ring- rustiness could see their downfall and let my heart down.
Malinga is focussed on the fight and should not allow his controversial trainer/manager Nick Durandt’s racist remarks to affect him. He flew out to England on Sunday with Durandt to finalise preparations.