Current IBO junior lightweight champion Cassius Baloyi feels that his world of boxing is steadily crumbling around him.
The former WBU junior feather and featherweight holder has not fought for more than a year while being contracted to big promotion companies such as Golden Gloves (GG) and Sport Entertainment Media (SEM).
He last fought in October 2002 when he stopped Mbulelo Botile in 11 rounds.
Baloyi, who could not hide his frustration on Wednesday, said it has been tough without any income for such a long time.
”I now rely on my sponsors. What is the prestige of being a world champion?” he asked.
His dignity as a family man is facing serious strain. Baloyi, a full-time prize fighter, has to fend for his five-year-old daughter and his fiancée.
He strongly condemned what he described as ”unfair treatment” from GG and SEM.
He said his contract was a three-fights-per-year deal, but he never saw action for the whole of last year. Baloyi has been with GG for 10 years. He joined GG after his second professional fight and he now has 30 fights (29 wins and a loss).
”I want nothing but a fight. Nilaba kulwa,” he said in Shangaan.
GG and SEM have breached their contract, according to Baloyi. However, he still has no thought of leaving them.
”We all saw what happened to Lehlohonolo Ledwaba. He went to London and joined Frank Warren England but he got no fight from him,” he said.
Baloyi said he has been promised a fight in March.
”I was told verbally that I will get a very good purse. But personally, action is what I want most,” he said.
Ledwaba joined GG in 1998. It steered him to winning the IBF title the following year. The Sowetan made six defences before losing his title to Manny Pacquiao in 2001.
He stayed for 12 months without a fight. GG then pitted him against Vuyani Bungu in July last year after 18 months of inactivity.
He beat Bungu and later left GG for Warren. But their deal went sour and Ledwaba was declared a free agent in October last year.
Currently he has no promoter. The other fight-starved boxers from the GG stable are Sebastiaan Rothmann and Mhikiza Myekeni, IBO cruiserweight and junior flyweight champions respectively. — Sapa