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Joubert, Jikani set for tough return bout

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THE WINNER IS? Lungisani Jikani (left) and Warren Joubert are hoisted at the end of their fight at Emperors Palace last year. They will meet in a rematch at the Orlando Communal Hall on Friday. Picture: Duif du Toit / Gallo Images
THE WINNER IS? Lungisani Jikani (left) and Warren Joubert are hoisted at the end of their fight at Emperors Palace last year. They will meet in a rematch at the Orlando Communal Hall on Friday. Picture: Duif du Toit / Gallo Images

Boxing fans can expect fireworks when Warren Joubert defends his junior welterweight title against Lungisani Jikani at the Orlando Communal Hall on Friday night.

This is the second meeting of the fighters in a national championship match. Their first encounter was for the then vacant crown that saw Joubert win by a unanimous points decision at Emperors Palace last year.

Port Elizabeth-based Jikani, who currently holds the Eastern Cape title, is confident he will dethrone Joubert.

Jikani has compiled a professional record of 14 wins, eight defeats and one draw in 23 bouts.

“I have learnt a lot from my previous defeat to Warren. I promised to relieve him of the title this round because I have trained hard,” said Jikani.

Joubert, whose career is moulded by Colin Nathan, is an experienced campaigner with 24 victories, four defeats and five draws from 33 outings.

He is optimistic he will make a successful defence.

“I’m aware that Lungisani will be taking the fight to me from the first gong. I will be too smart for him and will knock him out to prove that my previous win was no stroke of luck,” said Joubert.

Jikani’s trainer Caiphus Ntante said his charge had been hard at work and would turn the tables against the champion. Jikani’s last fight was a draw against Asanda Jacobs over eight rounds at Port Elizabeth’s Nangoza Hall in October.

Joubert beat Grant Fourie by unanimous points decision to win their SA and World Boxing Association Pan African super lightweight scrap at Emperors in March.

The event is expected to have fireworks as Rainbow Promotion boss Pat Molefe is trying to help bring boxing back to the townships.

The main bout on the undercard will feature Gauteng’s Mxolisi Nombewu, who will take on Sabelo Ngibanyana from the Western Cape over eight rounds in the bantamweight class.

There will be five other bouts on the undercard.

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