Moyisi Booi is set to make his maiden defence of the SA junior bantamweight title at the end of the month. However, the identity of his next opponent is still unclear. Booi's last bout was a controversial draw against David Nunez in April. His opponent for the upcoming title defence was initially expected to be Nkosinathi Sibiya, but Sibiya was removed from the mandatory spot due to inactivity.
Sibiya's camp is contesting the decision, arguing that a challenge had already been lodged before his removal. As a result, veteran boxer Jackson Chauke has been considered as a replacement opponent. Chauke has a history with Xaba Promotions, having been promoted by them during his SA flyweight title reign. He recently secured a victory over Gideon Buthelezi, which positioned him as the mandatory challenger for Booi's title.
The dispute over Sibiya's removal from the ratings is currently under review by Boxing SA. According to Linda Saliwa, director of Xaba Promotions, Chauke is considered the more marketable option. However, Sibiya's handlers are still challenging his removal, arguing that he should not have been removed due to an already scheduled fight.
Hope Schools in Summerpride is currently the frontrunner to host the event, following Xaba Promotions' recent tournament at the venue. The event will likely be broadcast on SuperSport, with organisers still finalising the date and venue. Booi's title defence will be his first since winning the SA junior bantamweight title.
Chauke has had a notable career, having won the IBO flyweight belt by beating Quaise Khademi in 2024. He subsequently relinquished the title to Ricardo Malajika, who went on to win the WBC junior-bantamweight title. Chauke returned to winning ways by beating Gideon Buthelezi, positioning himself for a title shot against Booi.
Booi's last bout was a controversial draw against David Nunez in an IBF Intercontinental title clash. The bout was marred by discrepancies in the scorecards, with Nunez threatening to lodge a protest with the IBF. Booi's upcoming title defence will be his first since then.
The final decision on Booi's next opponent rests with Boxing SA, who are reviewing the case. Either Jackson Chauke or Nkosinathi Sibiya will face Booi for the SA junior bantamweight title at the end of the month. The event is expected to take place at Hope Schools in Summerpride, with SuperSport broadcasting the bout.
Key points
- Moyisi Booi's next opponent for his SA junior bantamweight title defence remains unclear
- Nkosinathi Sibiya's removal from the mandatory spot has led to Jackson Chauke being considered as a replacement opponent
- The dispute over Sibiya's removal is currently under review by Boxing SA
