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Joey Stiglingh, seen in action against Solly Mokoka, goes in tough against Sipho Taliwe on March 3
Top trainer Colin Nathan has many feelings ahead of Joey Stiglingh’s big fight against Sipho Taliwe at Emperors Palace on March 3, but cockiness is not one of them.
Nathan has faith in his fighter’s abilities and has never lacked self-assurance, but he concedes that Stiglingh is in “deep water” this time round.
“The odds are against us. If Joey is 100 percent on form, he can win, but we both realise that Taliwe is a tough, tough nut. Everything will have to fall into place for us,” he said.
With six outings, Stiglingh had a busy 2011, although it was blotted by a surprise loss to Jasper Seroka, who outhustled him at Emperors last September. It was Stiglingh’s worst performance in 15 fights and a repeat of the same form will see him staring down defeat.
“We’ve got a good gameplan,” said Nathan. “He’s prepared well – it’s the hardest I’ve ever seen him train. He’s had top sparring, too, going toe-to-toe with guys like Jason Bedeman, Allan Bouwer and Ashley Dlamini.”
Nathan expects that Taliwe, the WBC international champion, will mix things up and not fight his usual fight. Cornerman Bernie Peilman is smart and may go the unorthodox route in trying to unseat Stiglingh.
Despite having failed to score a stoppage win since his brutal display against Warren Joubert in 2010, Taliwe is an above-average banger (10 stoppages in 14 fights) who holds Nathan’s respect.
“We all saw how he smashed Joubert, so we respect his power. Joey must let his hands go to stand a chance. But this is fine: when the odds are against the camp, we perform well.”
Nathan added that while Hekkie Budler was disappointed with his big-fight postponement – he will now box in late March rather than March 3 – he was determined to keep winning.
“[Injured] Florante Condes was tough and we wanted to showcase Hekkie. But these things happen. We plough on.”
February 13, 2012 at 10:33 am, Dilo said:
Sipho is head and shoulders above Joey in class, but Sipho should not get over confident with Collins comments and take the fight lightly as these are the kind of mindgames that could loose him the fight.. The worry is that if the fight goes the distance, the Emperors Palace house favorite, who is Joey, could get the decision even if he looses in the ring. We have seen it before, so my advise to Sipho is, take the fight very seriously and win convincingly and by stoppage if possible, as the longer the fight get, the more difficult it would become for you as you would be against the crowd, the judges, the ref and of course, the commentators.. Show your class and get the job done.. Do not see Joey as an underdog because Jasper gave him a boxing lesson, this is a new fight and he will come with new tactics.Win well, and announce to GGP and Mr Berman that you are also ready for some fights abroad.. cheers
February 13, 2012 at 11:33 am, C T said:
Wow Joey got a boxing lesson thats a bit of a shocker id say …..But never the less your opinion is your opinion Dilo i think that the fight with Jasper was an eye opening box night for Joey and it was a very even matched fight i dont think that joey will return in the same mind frame against Sipho .Given the fact Sipho has major hitting power so does Joey and hes a slick opponent to face, hes head movement and defense are brilliant .i do see this as a tough match going the distance and both fighters will come out with A games and new game plans .What is your call on flo vs Bruwer and what makes you think Joey is not as skilled as Sipho have you been following up on all fights and this is not a comment to take you in the face id like to no why you say this Thanks
February 13, 2012 at 12:06 pm, Dilo said:
> If Flo keeps his hands up, he will win. If he gets hit in the head to much, he will run into trouble. That said, my opinion is that Flo will KO Bruwer inside 6 rounds. Flo has amazing skill and his losses were as a result of over confidence and lack of a proper defence rather than lack of skill. He was beating Botha on points, and should have kept his distance and won easily, but rather choose to mix it with the powerful buffalo and got koed. The Venter fight was a comback point and he taught he could prove a point with a quick win and did not take Venter as a serious challenge.. Those guys maybe had over 20kg in weight on Flo and obviously he could not take there power punch, but now, the weights will be the same and i cannot see Bruwer giving him a problem, that is if Flo is taking this fight seriously and does not go in there throwing bombs, but rather keeps the fight on the outside and pick his punches with a good defence. Bruwer has been an average boxer who was not able to take a step up from fighting average boxers to good boxers, and i think Flo would be a step too high. Joey Stiglingh has recently fought a guy with 4 fights, while Sipho has been fights good opponents. I think if you loose 6 rounds of an 8 round boxing match, id say you got a boxing lesson, and that is what Joey got from Jasper. The same Jasper who Sipho dominated recently. Jasper was obviously better than Joey, while Sipho was way above Jasper in class, so this is my reasoning for stating that Joey does not have as much talent as Sipho. Then, if you compare their personal circumstances, living conditions, upbringing, facilities growing up etc etc etc, i am sure you will find that Sipho has don much better with little resources and therefore is a natural talent. Sipho has not lost a fight in 6 years, its just a shame that he has only had 10 fights in that time, but i guess that is a discussion for another day and has alot to do with the situation in BSA, the country we live in, who was managing him over that time etc.. cheers
February 13, 2012 at 12:26 pm, lourens said:
does anybody know if and when grant will fight again.
February 13, 2012 at 1:14 pm, Anton = boxboxbox said:
I heard the Fireball will be fighting on the Box and Dine 27th March if im not mistaken. Where do we get tickets from and who will he be fighting?
February 13, 2012 at 1:35 pm, Dave said:
That’s great news, so happy his back and Healthy. where can we get tickets? From Jeff?
February 13, 2012 at 1:37 pm, Dave said:
Can we get tickets or book tables from Jeff?
February 13, 2012 at 1:48 pm, Flo Simba fan said:
PEOPLE MY QUESTION IS WHY DO TRAINERS(COACH)& MANAGERS THROW THERE BOXERS IN THE “DEEP WATERS”
THERE IS BOXERS WHO BOX AGAINST BOXERS WHO’S GOT TITLE(AMATEUR + PRO)FIGHTS AGAINST THERE NAMES THAT YOU CAN WRITE A BOOK ON THERE TITLES THAT’S THROW IN THE “DEEP WATERS”
February 13, 2012 at 3:27 pm, C T said:
Sipho is tough hes had the top fighters but i rate Joey is hungry enough to take this one good luck to allthe fighters in march
February 13, 2012 at 5:04 pm, Jordan said:
Nice to read the comment here that Grant is going to be fighting.
This sounds just as good as Liverpool returning to the top of the Perm.
February 13, 2012 at 5:18 pm, Jono said:
I for one think Joey is going to do well on the 3dr March.
Dilo that comment about Jeoy that you made is not fair.
You assume that Joey had privileges growing up,first get your fact straight.
Joey has worked for every thing he’s got.
Sipho is a great boxer and I think he is Golden Gloves next big thing watch this space.
Dilo you have some good comment at the best of time but please don’t assume that all these boy have it easy growing up.
Dreams and hard work has got them where they are today.
February 14, 2012 at 9:51 am, Dilo said:
> NO, i never said Joey had any priviledges. He may have had it very hard indeed. What i said is, IF YOU COMPARE THE BOTH CIRCUMSTANCES and resourses they had growing up in boxing.. That does not mean that Joey had any priviledges or that Sipho had it hard. My opinion is that Sipho had it much tougher, so do not take comments out of context. Sipho is from the Eastern Cape. If anyone has been to the towns that these boxers come from, you would wonder how they ever became boxers through all the poverty, crime, lack of housing and other factors, so you welcome to state your opinion, but my comments above are in no way unfair. One only wonders how good these kids would have been if they had proper schools, sports facilities, electricity, water, proper mentors etc.. cheers
February 14, 2012 at 9:47 am, Bedfordview Fan said:
@golden gloves who do we contact, for tickets for the Box and Dine? Very happy The Fireball is fighting can’t wait to tell my son. The Fireball and Tommy gun are his boxing hero’s.
February 14, 2012 at 10:25 am, C T said:
Dilo, Jono we all have our different opinions and both of you bring valid points Joey worked for what he has and Sipho might have been better at hes sport having better facilties and stuff regardless both fihters no what they up against for this fight the comment is on the fighters ,this will be the ultimate fight of the night Joey is young and hungry Sipho knows hes on a winning streak so he knows what at steak, Joey wants to be the next champ what more could we ask for this is going to be tough my Vote is Joey points decision over Sipho -Flo takes bruwer to redeem himself as a cruiser Tommy win on points what are your predictions on all fights
February 14, 2012 at 10:52 am, Rodney Berman said:
Jeff Ellis is the man for tickets. Please contact him at: afriring@tiscali.co.za
February 14, 2012 at 11:41 am, fan of the sting said:
I am most definitely a big fan of Joey and i reckon he will win this fight as he is well conditioned and he really wants this, i like Sipho as well, he is very skillful but not a technical fighter such a s joey, this might just cost him the fight. Good luck to all on the night
February 14, 2012 at 12:44 pm, lourens said:
if grant is fighting on the 27mar ,no doubt it will be a sell out .welcome back fireball
February 14, 2012 at 1:24 pm, Jono B said:
Hi guys
the 3rd of March is going to be a true test for two out of the four fighter on the night.
Sipho VS Joey and Flo VS Bruwer, Joey is hungry to win and Sipho wants a real world title.
Flo needs the win to make a big come back, Bruwer wants to make a piont.
Exciting stuff come on 3rd March let’s see who’s who in the ring.
February 14, 2012 at 3:56 pm, Jorden said:
My predictions is Flo rider is going to the show with he’s heart on he’s sleeve and give us a show.
Burwer hope you been training because this young man is hungry.
Joey the sting is going to try an unset the bookies on the night and you never know?
Sipho is very ring smart and does both well that is box and fight, let the best man win.
February 14, 2012 at 8:30 pm, Dilo said:
A boxer has passed on. Mike Bernardo has passed away. I think in Cape Town. He was still very young in life. He only lost 1 fight before moving in other directions like martial arts etc.. Condolences to his family.
February 15, 2012 at 7:57 am, Michael said:
When is Morne Bothma boxing again?
February 15, 2012 at 8:21 am, Johnny said:
Flo will be tagged on the 3 he is going to be to weak and drained ,he is also a diabetic
February 16, 2012 at 1:06 pm, THE IRON said:
Does anyone know why Mike Bernardo never continued boxing after winning the WBF title against Peter McNeeley?
February 16, 2012 at 1:23 pm, Dilo said:
> Is Mr Ron Jackson Reading? Im sure he’ll no
February 16, 2012 at 2:15 pm, Ron said:
He became more involved in kickboxing and MMA
February 16, 2012 at 6:14 pm, Jorden said:
@The Iron
I can only think,Mike went to Japan to make money that he would of not made in South Africa.
Mike was a super strar in Japan, where he done K1 the ultimate stand up fighting championship and was loved over there, in South African if he walked down the street here in Joburg no one would of know him.
Mike was great to watch and he made a lot of people proud to be South African watching him Knocking big name OUT.
R.I.P Mike
February 27, 2012 at 4:16 pm, unknown32 said:
@dilo..just wanted to make sure that you are not saying that joey had all the facilities while growing up?? He really did not! He did have it hard and yes that’s what made him what he is today!! He is a highly skilled boxer and so is taliwe but I know joey has trained his best for this fight and he will grab the title..it will be a very difficult fight for the both of them but joey is very determined!
February 27, 2012 at 4:17 pm, unknown32 said:
@dilo..just wanted to make sure that you are not saying that joey had all the facilities while growing up?? He really did not! He did have it hard and yes that’s what made him what he is today!! He is a highly skilled boxer and so is taliwe but I know joey has trained his best for this fight and he will grab the title..it will be a very difficult fight for the both of them but joey is very determined! Another thing, people really need to stop holding the 1 loss joey had against him..he can’t win every fight, and he had his reasons*