 |
|
|
|
Hitman should retire says Nick
Trainer Nick Durandt has advised Cassius Baloyi to retire after his loss to Mzonke Fana. But the veteran fighter is still thinking things over.
Baloyi plans to take a break from boxing before deciding about his future. Durandt feels now is a good time for him to get out.
Sapa reports Durandt said on Friday that, at 35 years of age, it was "time to lay down the gloves and go into some other business that won't dim the memory the fans have of him".
Durandt was in Baloyi's corner when he won five of the six "world" titles he held during his career.
At Brakpan last Wednesday night he watched as the former champion was thoroughly beaten by Fana in a bout for the vacant IFB junior lightweight title.
"Cassius and I go back a long way," explained Durandt. " But the boxer who got a hiding from Fana was not 'The Hitman' I knew. "When I advise Cassius to retire, I'm not talking as his former trainer, but simply as a good friend who cares dearly for him and remembers all the good and great times we shared."
Baloyi has said he wants to take a long break and then consider his future.
Meanwhile promoter Branco Milenkovic, who presented the Carnival City tournament, plans to arrange a match between Katsunari Takayama and Nkosinathi Joyi.
The Japanese fighter outclassed Tshepo Lefele in an IBF junior flyweight eliminator in Brakpan and Milenkovic would like him to take on Joyi in East London, possibly in December.
Milenkovic believes Joyi is, pound-for-pound, one of the best fighters in South Africa.
"I believe he is the best junior flyweight in international boxing and our aim is to give him the opportunity to prove this against the champions of the other major organisations."
