Sigqibo boxing split row deepens

The acrimonious split between world top-rated contender Yanga Sigqibo and the Witboois has deepened after the boxer made damning allegations against his former handlers.

Sigqibo, who commands a top-five rating by the WBO, left manager Lonky Witbooi and his father, Spokes, who acted as his trainer.

The reason given by the Witboois was that the Duncan Village boxer had been kicked out due to ill-discipline following his lacklustre points win over Filipino Jerald Paclar in Gqeberha in April.

However, Sigqibo, who declined to comment at the time, has now refuted the claims, insisting that he left the Witboois on his own accord.

He denied that there was ever an issue around discipline.

“I was surprised when I read in the paper that I had been kicked out because of ill-discipline,” he said.

“I did not want to comment then because I was busy with a lot of issues, but now I have sorted them out hence I want to set the record straight.”

Spokes had claimed that Sigqibo’s lackadaisical performance against Paclar was due to him not being focused, which the boxer denied vehemently.

“The reason for my poor performance against Paclar was because I could not get any sparring sessions before the bout.

“When I requested one, I was told that no-one was going to be brought in for me.

“I ended up sparring with Sogcwayi [former stablemate], who is taller and bigger.”

Sigqibo also made a startling revelation in a national radio interview regarding his former bosses especially after they refused to return the boxing kit he was using in Gqeberha.

He claimed that Lonky refused to give him back his kit, insisting that he should first return the cellphone he gave him two years ago.

“Yes, Lonky gave me a cellphone when I had problems with mine. And when I asked him to return my kit, he said I must first give him his cellphone back.”

Sigqibo, 27, admitted though that the kit was made by Lonky, who has a boxing kit designing business.

“I admit the kit was made by him but I thought it was mine.

“Also, I did not see a point of him keeping my kit when we are no longer working together.”

Lonky declined to comment on the latest developments describing them as petty.

Sigqibo has since joined his former amateur trainer, Thembeni Gopheni, who also handles Sive Nontshinga.

“I am happy with Tar Terror [Gopheni] because we come a long way together. I am benefiting from plenty of sparring sessions now and I cannot wait to show my talent in the ring.”

Sigqibo is on the verge of fighting for a title elimination bout or receiving direct approval to challenge WBO world champion Kazuko Ioka of Japan.