Nqothole and Quibido meet for WBO Global title

South Africa’s Sikho Nqothole and Filipino Denmark Abecia Quibido meet in a matchup for the vacant WBO junior bantamweight title at Galleria Conference Centre in Sandton, Johannesburg on Thursday night.

The tournament will be shown live on DStv, Channel 218.

Nqothole, 28, originally from Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, made his pro debut on 5 March 2017 at the Blairgowrie Recreation Centre in Randburg against Andrew Gumbi, winning on a first-round technical knockout.

He won his next eight fights in style before losing on points over 12 rounds against Sunday Kiwale (13-9-4) in a clash for the vacant WBA Pan African Junior bantamweight title.

Winning his next fight, he then lost the WBA Pan African junior bantamweight title to Sabelo Ngebinyana (9-3) on points over 12 rounds.

In a return fight with Ngebinyana on 17 March 2019 in East London he was knocked out in the sixth round, in a bout for the same title.

Putting this setback behind him he won his next four fights with three inside the distance to take his record to 15-2: 10.

The southpaw 26-year-old Quibido has been fighting as a pro since 14 March 2017 and racked up a record of 12-0-1; 7.

He is coming off two inside-the-distance wins.

However, both opponents, Kier Clenton (3-2-1) and Ruben Traza (4-15-4), have poor records.

Only one of his fights has gone to ten rounds, a majority points decision over Phillip Luis Cuerdo (11-7-1), so he could be extended over 12 rounds with only a 53.85 per cent knockout ratio against limited opponents.

UNDERCARD

Jabulani Makhenze v Hendiques Lando (IBF Africa welterweight title)

Kagiso Bagwasi v Tshifiwa Munyani (Welterweight, 6 rounds)

Talent Baloyi v Kutlwano Ogaketse (Lightweight, 8 rounds)

Kaine Fourie v Sinethemba Blom (Lightweight 6 rounds)

Sazisiwe Simon v Monica Nkandla (Junior welterweight, 4 rounds) - woman