ONE of the most accomplished boxers to have represented South Africa in the professional ranks in the lighter divisions in recent years, Mzukisi Sikali at various times held versions of the world title at three different weights: light-flyweight, flyweight and super-flyweight.
He won his first world title as early as 1996 when he took Nungdiaw Sakcharuporn’s World Boxing Union (WBU) light-flyweight title in Bangkok. And he continued to be a well-travelled fighter thereafter, campaigning in all the continents except America.
But his most spectacular (and in the eyes of the pundits most unexpected) success was the manner in which he relieved Masibulele “Hawk” Makepula of his International Boxing Organisation (IBO) flyweight title in September 2002. Before the fight, at Carnival City, Brakpan, South Africa, on September 14, few commentators gave Sikali, a man known for rather enjoying life, much chance against the disciplined and deeply religious Makepula.
In a bout dubbed locally as “Flyweight Fury”, such opinions were confounded as Sikali went resolutely after his man, following an initially quiet first round. By the end of the seventh even the champion’s fans were begging the referee to rescue him from further punishment from the challenger. In the event, Makepula had a much better second half, actually staggering Sikali with a right hook in the tenth. But at the end of 12 rounds there was no doubt that Sikali was the new champion.
Born in Port Elizabeth in 1971, Sikali had begun pro boxing at the age of 19, and after winning the Cape light- flyweight title in his fifth bout, took the South African title in April 1992. In 1997 he lost the WBU light-flyweight title he had won in Thailand in 1996 to another Thai, Pongsaklek Wonjongkam.
This was a bad first-round TKO. But Sikali bounced back, travelling to Italy to take the WBU super-flyweight title from Luigi Castiglione in the Adriatic resort of San Benedetto del Tronto in August 1998. He defended it against the Sicilian Mercurio Ciaramitaro in February 1999, but lost it on a split decision in a second meeting with Castiglione in June of that year.
A somewhat fallow period followed, with a visit to London for a points win over the little-fancied Anthony Hanna at York Hall, Bethnal Green, and the capture of the little- esteemed World Boxing Association’s “international” flyweight title off the South African Daniel Ward in Botswana.
This he defended against the Frenchman Cyril Bellanger in London in January 2001. But these were not years of distinction for Sikali. And an undistinguished draw in a non-title bout against the Filipino Roy Doliguez in February 2002, made it seem that the sun might have set on his career.
Unsurprising then was the scepticism that greeted his proposed tilt at Makepula’s title in 2002. At the end, his skill overwhelmed a man who was undoubtedly the bigger puncher. In the return match the following October, again in Brakpan, Sikali’s superiority was even more evident. This time the referee was compelled to rescue Makepula after only four rounds. In a further defence against Monelisi Mhikiza Myekeni in September 2004 Sikali retained the title on points over 12 rounds.
But the years were beginning to catch up with him. In March this year he flew to Sydney to meet the IBF flyweight title holder, Vic “Raging Bull” Darchinyan. Sikali’s skills proved inadequate to keep out the power of the Armenian-born Australian five years his junior.
After using his skills to slip Darchinyan’s punches in the early rounds Sikali found himself on the receiving end of some increasingly hard body and head punches. A halt was called in the eighth round, with Darchinyan retaining his own, and walking off with Sikali’s IBO title. Sikali did not fight again.
He was walking with a friend in Uitenhage’s KwaNobuhle township, near Port Elizabeth, when he was attacked, apparently for his mobile phone. He received fatal wounds when he tried to defend himself.
Sikali is survived by a daughter and son.
Mzukisi Sikali, boxer, was born on July 30, 1971. He died on September 16, 2005, aged 34.
