KwaZulu-Natal boxer, Nhlakanipho “GTI” Kunene, who will fight for the International Boxing Organization (IBO) Mini-flyweight belt with Nhlanhla “Showtime” Tyirha in East London, is NOT coming to honor his hero in the ring.
The fight between Kunene (8-0-0) and Tyirha (12-3-0), is planned by Ground Up Promotions to be held at the Jan Smuts Stadium on May 23. In these fights, the veteran former IBO Lightweight champion, Xolisani “Nomeva” Ndongeni from Mthatha, will face Sanele Msimango from Nchanga as he hangs up his gloves. Lindelani “TWT” Sibisi from Dundee will defend the SA featherweight belt against Bongani Fule.
Kunene (24), who is the WBF Intercontinental Minimumweight champion, said he is determined to win the belt from the boxer he grew up watching.
“I’ve known Tyirha since I fought in the amateur division. I grew up watching him, he is my hero. He is a hardworking and dedicated boxer. I have to stand out in this fight,” said Kunene.
The opportunity that Kunene got to fight for the world belt at the Mini-Flyweight weight is a bit of a stretch since no boxer from KZN has ever even won the Mzansi belt at this weight.
“This opportunity came to me in a good and spiritual condition, I have no worries and I just won the WBF belt in March. I know that there is no boxer in KwaZulu-Natal who has ever won a world lightweight belt. I am very happy that I got this opportunity because the IBO belt is a world belt. This opportunity will change my life and it is not planned for anyone. In addition, it will bring change in KZN and it will build my name in the community in Dundee. The main thing is that I will be an example to the youth of my country so that they can see that it is possible to live through sports,” he said.
Although Kunene is full of confidence, he has to cut towards Tyrha, who won the SA light flyweight belt in the fourth fight that started boxing in 2018.
“I know that they are thinking that they have found a low-level box that they will do for themselves. That will not happen. I will raise the flag of KwaZulu-Natal high, Dundee I want to raise it high. I will put it aside to grow up watching him. There is no respect I will give him in the ring. I know that I will be better than him in the ring on the day of the fight,” said Kunene.