By Ronnie Nathanielsz

The promoter of Rey Loreto’s title defense against former champion Nkosinathi Joyi has been given until Saturday, Manila Time, to pay Loreto and Jetly Purisima who figured in a ten round bout on the undercard , their purses.

The demand was made by the Eastern Cape Boxing Promoters Association.

Boxing writer Bongani Magasela reports that ECBPA secretary general Andile Sidinile met last week with promoter Sipatho Handi regarding the non-payment of local and international boxers as well as officials for the fight card held in Mdantsane last March 22.

Loreto's purse was $42,000 or roughly P2 million.

Handi is a licensed South African promoter who has failed to pay the purses of Loreto and Purisima as well as IBO officials up to now.

Magasela reports that South African boxing “is already hurting” over the Premier Boxing League where overall winner Xolisani Ndongeni and other top finishers in their respective weight divisions have opted to take legal action to get their money for their fights at the Orient Theater in East London last February 1.

Sidile who is the manager of former world featherweight champion Simpiwe Vetyeka who lost his title to Nonito “The Fiipino Flash” Donaire by a 5th round technical points decision in Macau said the officials of the Eastern Cape Boing Promoters Association had met with Handi to discuss the non-payment of the boxers purses and said “we condemn the non-payment of the boxers by any promoter with the contempt it deserves.”

Sidile said the non-payment of boxers “is tarnishing the image of the sport of boxing and we as promoters have every responsibility to protect boxing.”

He added “we have given Mr. Handi until the end of business on April 10 to pay all the monies due. Failure to comply with this will result in him facing the association’s disciplinary process.”