ONE of the country?s most talented fighters Nkosinathi ?Mabere? Joyi takes a step closer to a world title showdown when he engages in an IBF mini-flyweight elimination clash against Filipino Florante Condes at East London?s Orient Theatre on June 12.
The news was confirmed by Joyi?s promoter Siphatho Handi and Branco Milenkovic who undertook to help the Mdantsane southpaw to realise his potential of fighting for a credible world title.
Joyi, unbeaten in 19 bouts with 15 stoppages, currently holds the IBO crown which he has defended three times against Filipino Gabriel Pumar and two Mexicans ? Sammy Gutierrez and Lorenzo Trejo ? beating them inside the distance.
Joyi is considered to be the best fighter in the country, capable of claiming all major world titles with ease.
His delay in fighting for a credible world title was due to his management not forging working relationships with promoters such as the influential Milenkovic.
Handi confirmed that Joyi?s bid to contest an IBF eliminator was due to the deal he had struck with Milenkovic.
?Since I started working with Branco, Joyi has quickly moved up the ratings, culminating in his approval by the IBF to contest for the eliminator,? Handi said.
Joyi had been itching to get into the ring with fellow southpaw Condes when the Filipino was an IBF champion.
Handi said he had already struck a deal with Condes? management to have the Filipino defend his crown against Joyi before Condes lost the crown to Mexican Raul Garcia in a close split decision in June last year. Nicknamed ?Little Pacquiao?, Condes is considered one of the best Filipino fighters in the lighter divisions, having lost only four times in 28 bouts.
The Filipino is as heavy a puncher as Joyi, having knocked out 20 of his 23 victims, while Joyi has floored 15 of his 19 opponents ? meaning their clash will not likely last the distance.
They have a common opponent in another Filipino Armand de la Cruz, who Joyi destroyed in three rounds to claim the IBO crown in November 2006. Condes had stopped De la Cruz in five rounds seven months earlier.
The winner of the Joyi-Condes fight earns an automatic challenge at the IBF title held by Garcia, who last week stopped Colombian Ronald Barrera in the sixth round after Barrera sustained cuts to his face.
