By Mesuli Zifo

South African junior lightweight contender Ayanda Yaphi cannot be in a dull fight even he tries due to his wild swinging aggressive fighting style with virtually no defence in place.

This risky way of fighting has worked for him so far, having taken him to 15 wins with just two losses and a draw.

He is hoping that the roller-coaster ride will continue when he challenges South African junior lightweight champion Godfrey Nzimande at Orient Theatre in East London, South Africa on Sunday.

In all his bouts, Yaphi always enters the ring as an underdog due to his crude boxing technique but the iron-chinned fighter has proven detractors wrong by eking out victories in bizarre circumstances even though he had to take a lot of bombs in return.

In some instances he has had to pick himself off the canvas to turn the tables.

 Yaphi’s all out wild swinging style always keeps spectators on the edge of their seats during his fights and it is expected to be the case against Nzimande on Sunday. 

“All I know is to fight, no fancy stuff and that is what I intend to do against Nzimande,” Yaphi said.

“I am not making any predictions because that is not my style but fans can brace themselves for another vintage Yaphi performance.”

When this fight was announced by Yaphi’s promoter Mzi Mnguni who will stage it under his Eyethu Promotions banner, every boxing fan was taken by surprise with some questioning if Yaphi even qualifies for the challenge.

Part of that negative reaction was due to the fact that Yaphi was never really considered as SA title fight material.

But a glimpse at his fight record shows that he does not only qualify but stands a good chance of waging a competitive fight.

Nzimande (21-3-3, 13 Kos) who only fought at the fight venue two months ago when he sensationally stopped highly regarded Thanduxolo Gatyeni in five rounds did not hesitate when offered this chance to defend against Yaphi.

He saw the fight as an easy payday and he might be justified for thinking that way as he is technically superior to Yaphi bar the chin department.

“I am going down there to put on a show for East London boxing fans who appreciate a good performance regardless of who dishes it out,” Nzimande said.

Trained by the esteemed Nick Durandt, Nzimande has adopted the Orient Theatre as his happy hunting ground having stopped highly regarded opponents from Yaphi’s area such as Mpumelelo Mbedle and Gatyeni in vacant title clashes.

He views Yaphi as just another opponent who will fall just like his homeboys.

To prepare for the fight, Durandt said he arranged Nzimande to spar with fighters with clumsy fighting style.

“Yaphi is a clumsy fighter with no technique to speak of so we needed to prepare for such kind of style because fighters like that can take you out of your game plan if you are not prepared,” he said.

Spectators can be assured that Yaphi will go down swinging and if Nzimande allows him to land his bombs an upset is not out of the ordinary.

The tournament will also feature an international junior featherweight clash between East Londoner Thabo Sonjica and Filipino Ariel Delgado.