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Schoolboy’s crown saved by new promoter

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Lusanda Komanisi (left) in action against Roli Gasca in their last fight at Orient Theatre in October. Picture: STEPHANIE LLOYD / DAILY DISPATCH
Lusanda Komanisi (left) in action against Roli Gasca in their last fight at Orient Theatre in October. Picture: STEPHANIE LLOYD / DAILY DISPATCH

International Boxing Organisation (IBO) featherweight champion Lusanda “Schoolboy” Komanisi is relieved that his new partnership with a US promoter has saved him from having his title stripped.

The 26-year-old boxer from Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape last fought in October, when he put his crown on the line against Filipino Roli Gasca, who he knocked out in the fifth round at the Orient Theatre in East London.

After being given three months to put his crown at stake or risk forfeiting it due to the time that elapsed since his last bout, Komanisi turned a new leaf in his career by teaming up with New York-based Greg Cohen Promotions. Before then, Komanisi was promoted by East London’s Teris Ntuthu for two years.

A copy of the letter from Greg Cohen Promotions vice-president of business development, Clifford Massat, confirms that Komanisi has been signed with the US promoter. City Press has a copy of the letter.

“I’m excited that we got the agreement fully executed,” said Massat.

Greg Cohen has undertaken to stage a title defence bout for him in the US soon.

This means the fighter’s diadem will remain intact if the bout materialises and he defends successfully.

“It’s good news for me to have a promoter who has rescued my crown from being stripped. I was worried sick that my belt was going to be taken away because of the lengthy period that I have been out of action,” said Komanisi.

Schoolboy, who boasts a record 19 wins and four defeats in 23 professional bouts, said he was looking forward to having regular action in the US.

He won the IBO crown by knocking out Macbute “Macman” Sinyabi in the fifth round at the East London International Convention Centre in July 2014. He defended successfully twice against Gasca at the Orient Theatre – the first time in December 2014, when he won by a split decision before his last victory in October.

“I’m looking forward to impressing my new promoter by winning all my fights. I’m happy that I will enjoy more international exposure under the American promoter.”

His manager, Mlandeli Tengimfene, said like his other charge Zolani “Last Born” Tete, who campaigns in the UK under Englishman Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, Schoolboy’s career path would be well moulded in the US.

Tete currently holds the International Boxing Federation international bantamweight diadem.

“Due to my wide international network, Cohen contacted me to enquire about the prospect of promoting Schoolboy’s bouts after seeing the fighter’s record,” said Tengimfene.

He said Schoolboy would set up a secret training camp in Johannesburg a few weeks before going to the US to fight.

Attempts to get hold of Ntuthu for comment were unsuccessful.

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