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Former undisputed world mini flyweight champion Nkosinathi “Mabhere” Joyi is hoping to get his career back on a winning track by rejoining long-time trainer Boy Boy Mpulampula.
Joyi cut ties with manager Mlandeli Tengimfene this week, “owing to a misunderstanding”, to return to Mpulampula, the man who guided him to the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and International Boxing Organisation (IBO) titles at the height of his boxing run. The Eastern Cape-based fighter was managed by Tengimfene for two years, while being trained by Loyiso Mtya.
This means the 33-year-old no longer has a manager, but, in addition to his training responsibilities, Mpulampula will assume the role of manager in the interim, said Joyi.
“After two years with Tengimfene, we decided to go our separate ways as things were no longer working out between us,” said Joyi.
Joyi lost twice to Filipino Rey Loreto for the IBO light flyweight title. His first defeat was a four-round knockout in Monte Carlo for the vacant championship in 2014. That was followed by an eight-round technical knockout for an abortive challenge in Mdantsane in March last year. The defeat blotted what had been a remarkable ring career for Joyi.
Since then, Joyi has had two wins in non-title bouts on his comeback trail. He beat Sinethemba Magibisela by a sixth-round technical knockout at the Orient Theatre in East London in September last year. Joyi’s last bout was a points victory over Luyanda Kwankwa at the Orient Theatre in April.
Now Joyi hopes to pick up the pieces under Mpulampula, the man who groomed him from the amateur ranks to the zenith of his boxing run.
Besides the IBF and IBO titles, Joyi has also lifted the World Boxing Council international, World Boxing Association international and South African championship belts.
Mpulampula said he was hoping to take his charge back to the top. “Mabhere is still one of the country’s best boxers. I’m delighted to look after his career once again. We are planning a fight for him on September 30,” said Mpulampula.
Tengimfene said Joyi’s departure was amicable.
“The boxer and I had a cordial relationship. We agreed with Mpulampula that Mabhere should go back to his old camp,” said Tengimfene.
Joyi has compiled a record of 26 wins and four defeats from 30 professional fights.
He won the IBF title by beating Raúl García via a unanimous points decision at the East London International Convention Centre in 2010. Four years earlier, he knocked out Filipino Armando dela Cruz in the sixth round to win the IBO crown at Emperors Palace.
