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Johannesburg - Macbute “Macman” Sinyabi is determined to regain the International Boxing Organisation (IBO) featherweight title that has been stripped from his homeboy, Lusanda “Schoolboy” Komanisi.
Komanisi, who is from Mdantsane, East London, had his crown taken away by the sanctioning body in January for failing to defend it. He had been inactive for more than nine months, which is in contravention of the IBO rules that stipulate that a champion must defend his crown within nine months of winning it.
The championship is vacant now and Macman believes he stands a chance to fight for it as he claims he is the number one contender.
Deserve a chance
Sinyabi (30) currently holds the IBO intercontinental and international diadems.
“As a top contender in the same division, I deserve a chance to fight for the vacant crown,” said Sinyabi.
“I’m determined to bring back glory to our township by bringing back the IBO belt to where it belongs – Mdantsane.”
Sinyabi lost to Schoolboy by a fifth-round knockout for the same championship that was vacant at the International Convention Centre in East London in 2014.
But he was embarrassed by Azinga Fuzile, who beat him by a unanimous points decision to relieve him of his national title at the Orient Theatre in East London in September.
Now, Macman is hellbent on fixing his dented image by winning the world championship again.
Good shape
“I feel I can challenge Fuzile for a rematch at any time and beat him this time around. I’ve worked on past mistakes. But my priority at the moment is to fight for the IBO crown.”
Sinyabi, who is trained by Dowi Mzini, is hoping to have a warm-up bout shortly against an overseas opponent.
“Dowi ... is currently negotiating to get me in action to keep me in good shape. Nothing concrete has been organised at the moment.”
Macman has won 29 fights and lost five in 34 professional fights.
