Ayanda Ndulani (born April 4, 1997) is a South African professional boxer who has held the IBO minimumweight title since 2021.
| Ayanda Ndulani | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | Mini flyweight |
| Nationality | South African |
| Born | (1997-04-04) April 4, 1997 (age 25) East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 16 |
| Wins | 13 |
| Wins by KO | 4 |
| Losses | 2 |
| Draws | 1 |
As of June 2022, he is ranked as the fifth best mini flyweight in the world by BoxRec and ninth best by the TBRB.[1][2]
Ndulani made his professional debut against Vuyani Swartbooi on June 27, 2015. He won the fight by a fourth-round technical knockout. He amassed a 10-2-1 record during the next four years, before making his first world title challenge.[3]
Ndulani was scheduled to challenge the reigning IBO minimumweight champion Nkosinathi Joyi on May 21, 2021, at the International Convention Centre in East London, Eastern Cape. Both fighters came into the bout after a two year absence from the sport, with Ndulani's last fight taking place on September 28, 2019, while Joyi's last fight took place on December 16, 2019.[4] The incumbent champion was regarded as the favorite to regain the title, while Ndulani came in as a moderate underdog and was dubbed a darkhorse versus Joyi.[5] Joyi weighed in at 48.10kg, which was almost 500g above the 47.63kg limit. Accordingly, he was stripped of the title, leaving Ndulani as the only one eligible to capture the now vacant belt.[6] Ndulani won the fight by a fourth-round knockout. The visibly drained Joyi was knocked down twice in the second round, although he was able to beat the eight count both times. The former champion was once again floored at the 1:31 minute mark of the fourth round, after which the referee decided to stop the fight.[7]
Ndulani is scheduled to make his maiden IBO minimumweight title defense against the former WBO Global and African minimumweight champion Siphamandla Baleni. The bout is scheduled to take place on November 26, 2021,[8] at the International Convention Centre in East London, South Africa.[9] Ndulani won the rematch by split decision, with two judges awarding him a 117–111 and 116–112 scorecards respectively, while the third judge scored it 118–114 for Baleni.[10] Baleni later contested the result of the decision with the IBO, who ruled against him on May 18, 2022, confirming Ndulani as their minimumweight champion.[11]
Despite the IBO ruling, Ndulani chose to give Siphamandla Baleni a second chance at the title.[12] The rematch was one of five titles bouts which were scheduled as part of the annual boxing celebration of former president Nelson Mandela, and was expected to take place on August 3, 2022, at the same venue in which their first bout transpired.[13] On July 27, Xaba Promotions announced that the bout was postponed due to budgetary constraints,[14] and would be rescheduled for September 4.[15] Ndulani won the fight by split decision, the same as in their previous encounter.[16]
| 16 fights | 13 wins | 2 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 4 | 1 |
| By decision | 9 | 1 |
| Draws | 1 | |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Win | 13–2–1 | Siphamandla Baleni | SD | 12 | Sep 4, 2021 | International Convention Centre, East London, South Africa | Retained IBO minimumweight title |
| 15 | Win | 12–2–1 | Siphamandla Baleni | SD | 12 | Nov 27, 2021 | International Convention Centre, East London, South Africa | Retained IBO minimumweight title |
| 14 | Win | 11–2–1 | Nkosinathi Joyi | KO | 4 (12), 1:31 | May 21, 2021 | International Convention Centre, East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa | Won vacant IBO minimumweight title |
| 13 | Win | 10–2–1 | Loyiso Ngantweni | UD | 10 | Sep 28, 2019 | International Convention Centre, East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa | |
| 12 | Loss | 9–2–1 | Siphamandla Baleni | UD | 12 | Jun 16, 2019 | Indoor Sports Centre, Mdantsane, South Africa | For vacant WBO Africa Minimumweight title |
| 11 | Win | 9–1–1 | Xolisa Magusha | UD | 12 | Jul 29, 2018 | Orient Theatre, East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa | Won vacant African Boxing Union Minimum Title. |
| 10 | Win | 8–1–1 | Khanyiso Siko | PTS | 10 | Apr 29, 2018 | Indoor Sports Centre, Mdantsane, South Africa | Won vacant Eastern Cape mini flyweight title. |
| 9 | Win | 7–1–1 | Daluxolo Mangcotywa | PTS | 4 | Dec 10, 2017 | Orient Theatre, East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa | |
| 8 | Win | 6–1–1 | Thandolwethu Hlangani | TKO | 3 (6), 1:03 | Jul 30, 2017 | Orient Theatre, East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa | |
| 7 | Loss | 5–1–1 | Xolisa Magusha | TKO | 3 (8), 1:46 | Nov 20, 2016 | Orient Theatre, East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa | |
| 6 | Win | 5–0–1 | Ndikho Magadaza | TKO | 12 (12), 1:39 | Sep 23, 2016 | OR Tambo Hall, Mthatha, South Africa | Won WBF African Minimum Title. |
| 5 | Draw | 4–0–1 | Deejay Kriel | SD | 6 | Apr 24, 2016 | Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, Gauteng, South Africa | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Malibongwe Mashalaba | PTS | 4 | Nov 29, 2015 | Indoor Sports Centre, Mdantsane, South Africa | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Yanga Sigqibo | PTS | 4 | Oct 2, 2015 | Mdantsane Indoor Centre, Mdantsane, South Africa | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Anele Komana | PTS | 4 | Aug 29, 2015 | Chris Nissen Primary School, Knysna, South Africa | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Vuyani Swartbooi | TKO | 4 (4), 2:44 | Jun 27, 2015 | Port Alfred, South Africa | |