Ayanda Ndulani (born 4 April 1997) is a South African professional boxer who has held the IBO minimumweight title since 2021.

Ayanda Ndulani
Born (1997-04-04) 4 April 1997 (age 27)
NationalitySouth African
Statistics
Weight(s)Mini flyweight
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights17
Wins13
Wins by KO4
Losses3
Draws1

Professional boxing career

edit

Early career

edit

Ndulani made his professional debut against Vuyani Swartbooi on 27 June 2015. He won the fight by a fourth-round technical knockout.[1] He amassed a 10–2–1 record during the next four years, before making his first world title challenge.[2]

IBO minimumweight champion

edit

Ndulani vs. Joyi

edit

Ndulani was scheduled to challenge the reigning IBO minimumweight champion Nkosinathi Joyi on 21 May 2021, at the International Convention Centre in East London, Eastern Cape. Both fighters came into the bout after a two year absence from the sport, with Ndulani's last fight taking place on 28 September 2019, while Joyi's last fight took place on 16 December 2019.[3] The incumbent champion was regarded as the favorite to retain the title, while Ndulani came in as a moderate underdog and was dubbed a dark horse.[4] Joyi weighed in at 48.10 kg at the official weigh-ins, which was almost 500g above the 47.63 kg limit. Accordingly, he was stripped of the title, leaving Ndulani as the only one eligible to capture the now vacant belt.[5] Ndulani won the fight by a fourth-round knockout. The visibly drained Joyi was knocked down twice in the second round, although he was able to beat the eight count both times. The former champion was once again floored at the 1:31 minute mark of the fourth round, after which the referee decided to stop the fight.[6]

The Baleni trilogy

edit

Ndulani was booked to make his maiden IBO minimumweight title defense against the former WBO Global and African minimumweight champion Siphamandla Baleni. The bout took place on 26 November 2021,[7] at the International Convention Centre in East London, South Africa.[8] Ndulani won the rematch by split decision, with two judges awarding him a 117–111 and 116–112 scorecards respectively, while the third judge scored it 118–114 for Baleni.[9] Baleni later contested the result of the decision with the IBO, who ruled against him on 18 May 2022, confirming Ndulani as their minimumweight champion.[10]

Despite the IBO ruling, Ndulani chose to give Siphamandla Baleni a second chance at the title.[11] The rematch was one of five titles bouts which were scheduled as part of the annual boxing celebration of former president Nelson Mandela, and was expected to take place on 3 August 2022, at the same venue in which their first bout transpired.[12][13] On 27 July, Xaba Promotions announced that the bout was postponed due to budgetary constraints,[14] and would be rescheduled for 4 September.[15] Ndulani won the fight by split decision, the same as in their previous encounter.[16]

Ndulani vs. Soto

edit

On 9 November 2022, during the annual WBC convention, the sanctioning body formally ordered a mini-flyweight title eliminator between Ndulani and Luis Castillo Soto.[17] The fight was expected to take place on 25 February 2023, at the ICC Durban in Durban, South Africa on the undercard of the Michael Mendoza and Landi Ngxeke super flyweight bout,[18] but was postponed as Ngxeke came down with bronchitis.[19][20] The bout was rescheduled to take place on 31 March 2023,[21] but was removed from the event entirely days before it was supposed to take place, as Ndulani refused to continue his preparations at the event promoter's Xaba Boxing Academy, choosing instead to stay at the Masenze Boxing Club.[22] The title eliminator was rescheduled to take place on 19 May 2023, in Cancun, Mexico.[23] He lost the fight by a fourth-round knockout.[24]

Professional boxing record

edit
17 fights 13 wins 3 losses
By knockout 4 2
By decision 9 1
Draws 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
17 Loss 13–3–1 Luis Castillo Soto KO 4 (12) 19 May 2023 Cancun, Mexico
16 Win 13–2–1 Siphamandla Baleni SD 12 4 Sep 2021 International Convention Centre, East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa Retained IBO minimumweight title
15 Win 12–2–1 Siphamandla Baleni SD 12 27 Nov 2021 International Convention Centre, East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa Retained IBO minimumweight title
14 Win 11–2–1 Nkosinathi Joyi KO 4 (12), 1:31 21 May 2021 International Convention Centre, East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa Won vacant IBO minimumweight title
13 Win 10–2–1 Loyiso Ngantweni UD 10 28 Sep 2019 International Convention Centre, East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa
12 Loss 9–2–1 Siphamandla Baleni UD 12 16 Jun 2019 Indoor Sports Centre, Mdantsane, South Africa For vacant WBO Africa Minimumweight title
11 Win 9–1–1 Xolisa Magusha UD 12 29 Jul 2018 Orient Theatre, East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa Won vacant African Boxing Union Minimum Title.
10 Win 8–1–1 Khanyiso Siko PTS 10 29 Apr 2018 Indoor Sports Centre, Mdantsane, South Africa Won vacant Eastern Cape mini flyweight title.
9 Win 7–1–1 Daluxolo Mangcotywa PTS 4 10 Dec 2017 Orient Theatre, East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa
8 Win 6–1–1 Thandolwethu Hlangani TKO 3 (6), 1:03 30 Jul 2017 Orient Theatre, East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa
7 Loss 5–1–1 Xolisa Magusha TKO 3 (8), 1:46 20 Nov 2016 Orient Theatre, East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa
6 Win 5–0–1 Ndikho Magadaza TKO 12 (12), 1:39 23 Sep 2016 OR Tambo Hall, Mthatha, South Africa Won WBF African Minimum Title.
5 Draw 4–0–1 Deejay Kriel SD 6 24 Apr 2016 Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, Gauteng, South Africa
4 Win 4–0 Malibongwe Mashalaba PTS 4 29 Nov 2015 Indoor Sports Centre, Mdantsane, South Africa
3 Win 3–0 Yanga Sigqibo PTS 4 2 Oct 2015 Mdantsane Indoor Centre, Mdantsane, South Africa
2 Win 2–0 Anele Komana PTS 4 29 Aug 2015 Chris Nissen Primary School, Knysna, South Africa
1 Win 1–0 Vuyani Swartbooi TKO 4 (4), 2:44 27 Jun 2015 Titi Jonas Multi-Purpose Community Centre, Port Alfred, South Africa

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "Boxing Thrills for Kowie". Talk of the Town. No. 24. 2 July 2015.
  2. ^ Magasela, Bongani. "IBO justifies green light for Ndulani's challenge of Joyi". sowetanlive.co.za. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  3. ^ Jackson, Ron (20 May 2021). "Boxing News: Two local fighters meet for IBO mini-flyweight belt". fightnews.com. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  4. ^ Magasela, Bongani. "'It's good Ndulani is darkhorse versus Joyi'". sowetanlive.co.za. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  5. ^ Magasela, Bongani. "Overweight Joyi surrenders IBO title without a fight". sowetanlive.co.za. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  6. ^ Jackson, Ron. "Ndulani beats Joyi to win IBO minimumweight belt". supersport.com. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  7. ^ Zifo, Mesuli. "Ndulani faces major challenges ahead of world title bout". dispatchlive.co.za. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  8. ^ Magasela, Bongani (11 November 2021). "There'll be no excuses as fit Ndulani faces Baleni". sowetanlive.co.za. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  9. ^ Jackson, Ron. "Ndulani retains IBO minimumweight belt on split decision". supersport.com. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  10. ^ Zifo, Mesuli (18 May 2022). "IBO rules against Baleni protest in world title loss". dispatchlive.co.za. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  11. ^ Zifo, Mesuli (1 July 2022). "Ndulani forced to give Baleni a rematch despite IBO objection". dispatchlive.co.za. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  12. ^ "Boxing Tournament In Honour Of Madiba Returns To The EC After A 2-year Break". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  13. ^ "Baleni Wants To Punish Ndulani". inksport.co.za. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  14. ^ "Matiti Explains Why The Ndulani, Baleni Fight Got Postponed". inksport.co.za. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  15. ^ Zifo, Mesuli (16 August 2022). "Ndulani, Baleni trilogy back on track". dispatchlive.co.za. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  16. ^ Zifo, Mesuli (6 September 2022). "Baleni gives up on Ndulani rivalry". dispatchlive.co.za. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  17. ^ "Cengani 'Shocked' and Happy". inksport.co.za. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  18. ^ Magasela, Bongnani (25 January 2023). "Ndulani to enjoy home advantage as he faces Mexican foe Castillo". sowetanlive.co.za. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  19. ^ Magasela, Bongani (15 February 2023). "Matiti cancels tournament after Ngxeke falls sick". sowetanlive.co.za. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  20. ^ Zifo, Mesuli (21 February 2023). "Conundrum avoided as Durban show set for end of next month". dispatchlive.co.za. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  21. ^ Baldenebro, Armando (7 March 2023). "¡Por la hazaña a África! Mochitense 'Flechita' Castillo tiene eliminatoria mundial". lineadirectaportal.com. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  22. ^ Zifo, Mesuli. "Plans for Ndulani to train at Nathan's HotBox gymnasium". DispatchLIVE. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  23. ^ Zifo, Mesuli (11 April 2023). "Ndulani pumped up for Mexican title eliminator". dispatchlive.co.za. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  24. ^ Valenzuela, Misael (19 May 2023). "El mochitense Flechita Castillo noquea a Ayanda Ndulani y buscará el título Paja del CMB". noticieroaltavoz.com. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
edit