By Ronnie Nathanielsz

South African promoter Rodney Berman whose Golden Gloves outfit promoted Edrin “The Sting” Dapudong’s rematch with Gideon Buthelezi over whom Dapudong scored a spectacular 1st round knockout in Johannesburg last Saturday claims straw-weight Nkosinathi Joyi will get a crack at the Filipino in August.

Berman who was quoted by Super Sport in South Africa said that Joyi who lost a split decision in an IBO straw-weight title fight to Hekkie Budler on the same card at the Emperors Palace will fight Dapudong for the newly-crowned champion’s super bantamweight crown.

Berman said "Joyi deserves to be rewarded for the role he played in the engrossing battle against Budler. I've secured him a title shot against Dapudong at the heavier junior bantamweight limit after concluding negotiations with Siphato Handi" who is the manager of Joyi.

BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard called IBO president Ed Levine early Wednesday morning but he was out of town and the Assistant to the IBO president, Maria Canizares. later spoke to Levine and informed us, “I spoke with Mr. Levine and he says that we've had no inquiries regarding that fight (Dapudong vs. Joyi).”

Dapudong’s manager and longtime benefactor, former North Cotabato governor Manny Pinol earlier told us that he had given Berman three options for Dapudong’s title defenses but that he would request the promoter to allow Dapudong to have one non-title fight in the Philippines before that. 

Joyi’s manager had earlier confirmed that he had filed a complaint with the IBO regarding the judges’ decision in the Budler fight and requested a rematch. However, Super Sport said that Handi appeared to be appeased by the offer to fight Dapudong.

Several questions will be asked of the IBO should it decide to approve a Dapudong-Joyi title fight, the most serious being how could a loser in a straw-weight title fight be allowed to move up three weight divisions to face a devastating puncher like Dapudong who had just annihilated South African champion Gideon Buthelezi in a sensational first round knockout to win the super bantamweight title.  

In the meantime Dapudong was set to receive a hero’s welcome in the rustic town of M’lang led by Mayor Joselito Pinol, brother of manager Manny Pinol. The first world boxing champion from North Cotabato will be honored with a motorcade  after which the hometown hero’s townsfolk will gather at the old municipal gymnasium to watch a video of the devastating first round knockout.

The 27 year old son of a poor farmer’s son had earlier visited his ailing mother in their home in Pag-asa, M’lang.

Dapudong is expected to return to Manila for a courtesy call on Vice President Jejomar Binay on Friday.