The fight of Ntshanga boxer, Sanele “Tornado” Msimang, who was scalded by boiling water on Sunday, has been held in suspense.
Msimang who is the WBF International Super Lightweight champion will face Xolisani “Nomeva” Ndongeni who was the International Boxing Organization (IBO) Lightweight champion at the Jan Smuts Stadium, Gompo City, on May 23. This fight, which is Ndongeni’s farewell fight, is a day organized by Ground Up Boxing Promotions. Msimang has signed an agreement to face Ndongeni after a long time since the boxer from Mthatha did not find an opponent to face in the farewell fight in front of his fans in the place where he started boxing in 2010.
Msimang told this newspaper that he was burned by boiling water on his hand and stomach, and was taken to hospital on Sunday night. This boxer who has lost twice in Mzansi title fights, now lives in Pata, Pietermaritzburg, where he owns a shop.
“I suspect that this thing is related to the ongoing dispute about the store. There was a person who had a store before I opened it too, but he left it. After a while, he came back and opened it again, but people did not understand his story, and continued to buy from mine. On Sunday night, I was boiling three eggs. After boiling, I turned off the stove. After that, I heard the egg explode like a gun, water poured into my hand and stomach. Msimang.
“Today (yesterday) the doctor asked me how much I want to fight this fight, and I told him that I am very determined. He said that he will give me from today until Wednesday, and see how my condition is. After that, he will issue a letter confirming that I will not be able to fight if the condition is not good. He instructed me not to fight with other boxers for the time being until the hand heals properly.”
In these fights, SA Featherweight champion Lindelani “TWT” Sibisi will defend the belt against Bongani Fule from the Eastern Cape. In another highly anticipated fight, Nhlanhla “GTI” Kunene will compete for the IBO Minimumweight belt with Nhlanhla “Kilimanjolo” Tyirha from the Eastern Cape.