By Ron Jackson

In what will be the first world championship fight to be held in Mthatha, South Africa, Simphiwe Khonco returns to his roots and action after thirteen months to defend the IBO minimumweight belt against Filipino Toto Villarma Landero at the OR Tambo Hall on Sunday afternoon. The eight-bout tournament will be broadcast live on SuperSport 12 from 2pm.

The 32-year-old Khonco (sometimes spelt Konco) who has a record of 18-5, 7 KOs, won the vacant IBO belt on January 11, 2016 with a points victory over fellow South African Siyabongo Siyo.

He made a successful defense against Nkosinathi Joyi (pts 12) on November 20 of the same year and in his second defense and most recent fight on June 10, 2017 he outpointed Lito Dante over 12 rounds.

This rugged little battler made his pro debut on September 15, 2007 and has won the Eastern Cape, South African, WBA Pan African and IBO Inter-Continental mimimumweight titles.

Landero, 22, from Muntilupa City, Metro Manila made his pro debut on December 28, 2013 and won his first three fights before fighting to a majority draw with Rolly Sumalpong over six rounds.

He then won his next two bouts before fighting to another majority draw against Philip Luis Cuerdo.

Landero 10-2-2, 2 KOs, beat Cuerdo in a return match and won another two fights before suffering his first loss in September 2016 when Joey Canoy stopped him in sixth round.

In June 2017 he scored his best win so far when he beat the highly regarded Vic Saludar on a split decision.

In his most recent fight in March this year he was outpointed by Thammanoon Niyontrong (16-0) in challenge for the WBA minimumweight belt.

This is a tough challenge for the South African and he could be extended over 12 rounds.