Simphiwe Khonco


Simphiwe Khonco is a South African professional boxer. He held the IBO mini-flyweight title from 2016 to 2019 and challenged for the WBA mini-flyweight title in 2015 and the WBC mini-flyweight title in 2019.

Boxing career

IBO mini-flyweight champion

Khonco was scheduled to fight Siyabonga Siyo for the vacant IBO mini-flyweight title on June 11, 2016 at the Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, Gauteng. The fight was a hometown bout for both competitors, as they both hailed from the Eastern Cape province of South African Republic. Khonco won the fight by unanimous decision, with two of the judges scoring the fight 118-110 in his favor, while the third judge scored the fight 116-112 for him.
Khonco made his first title defense against Nkosinathi Joyi on November 20, 2016. It was the first time that a world title fight was held in Mthatha, South Africa. Khonco won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 119-111, 119-111 and 118-112.
Khonco was scheduled to make his second IBO title defense against Lito Dante on June 10, 2017 at the Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, Gauteng. He won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 119-109, 119-109 and 118-110.
Khonco was scheduled to make his third title defense against Joey Canoy on December 2, 2018. The fight ended abruptly in the fourth round, after an accidental clash of heads left Khonco unable to continue. The fight was accordingly declared a no contest. Khonco subsequently refused a rematch, stating “We took this fight on our own but now we are moving foward [sic]".

Later mini-flyweight career

Khonco was scheduled to challenge the reigning WBC mini-flyweight title champion Wanheng Menayothin on October 25, 2019. Wanheng won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 118-109, 116-110, and 117-109.
Khonco faced Ariston Aton on April 9, 2022, at the Superbowl in Sun City, on the undercard of the Athenkosi Dumezweni and Landi Ngxeke South African super flyweight title bout. He won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 100–90, 96–92 and 97–93.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
28LossGaren DiaganTKO7 1 Oct 2022Time Square, Pretoria, South Africa
27Win20–6 Ariston AtonUD109 Apr 2022Superbowl, Sun City, South Africa
26Loss19–6 Wanheng MenayothinUD1225 Oct 2019City Hall Ground, Chonburi, ThailandFor WBC world champions#Strawweight|WBC mini-flyweight title]
25NC19–5 Joey CanoyNC4 2 Dec 2018Orient theatre, East London, South AfricaRetained IBO mini-flyweight title;
Fight stopped after Khonco was cut from an accidental head clash
24Win19–5Toto LanderoUD1222 Jul 2018Umtata, Eastern Cape, South AfricaRetained IBO mini-flyweight title
23Win18–5Lito DanteUD1210 Jun 2017Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, South AfricaRetained IBO mini-flyweight title
22Win17–5Nkosinathi JoyiUD1220 Nov 2016Orient Theatre, East London, South AfricaRetained IBO mini-flyweight title
21Win16–5Siyabonga SiyoUD1211 Jun 2016Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, South AfricaWon vacant IBO mini-flyweight title
20Loss15–5Hekkie BudlerUD1219 Sep 2015Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, South AfricaFor WBA world champions#Minimumweight|WBA] and IBO mini-flyweight titles
19Win15–4Nhlanhla NgamntwiniKO4 15 Dec 2014Orient Theatre, East London, South AfricaWon vacant IBO Inter-Continental mini-flyweight title
18Win14–4Sibusiso TwaniSD1226 Apr 2014Tsolo Junction Hall, Qumbu, South AfricaRetained WBA Pan-African and South African mini-flyweight titles
17Win13–4Luyanda NkwankwaPTS1228 Jul 2013Tsolo Junction Hall, Mthatha, South AfricaRetained South African mini-flyweight title
16Win12–4Khanyakude MukansiPTS1214 Apr 2013OR Tambo Hall, Mthatha, South AfricaWon vacant WBA Pan African mini-flyweight title
15Win11–4Zukisani KwayibaKO9 1 Dec 2012OR Tambo Hall, Mthatha, South AfricaRetained South African mini-flyweight title
14Win10–4Lutho NkonkiTKO3 23 Sep 2012OR Tambo Hall, Mthatha, South AfricaRetained South African mini-flyweight title
13Win9–4Bongani MfundisiTKO7, 1:282 Jun 2012Orient Theatre, East London, South AfricaWon vacant South African mini-flyweight title
12Win8–4Luyanda NkwankwaPTS627 Aug 2011Dutywa, South Africa
11Win7–4Loyiso DayimaniPTS614 Nov 2010Mdantsane Indoor Centre, East London, South Africa
10Loss6–4Luzuko SiyoTKO4 25 Apr 2010Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa
9Loss6–3Siviwe NtsikoTKO3 18 Dec 2009Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa
8Win6–2Siviwe JonasPTS624 Oct 2009Community Hall, Komga, South Africa
7Win5–2Loyiso DayimaniTKO2 8 Mar 2009Walter Sisulu University, Butterworth, South Africa
6Loss4–2Lwazi NduneniKO4 16 Aug 2008OR Tambo Hall, Mthatha, South Africa
5Win4–1Siyabonga JolibokweTKO1 19 Jul 2008OR Tambo Hall, Mthatha, South Africa
4Win3–1Lulama NtshikivanaTKO3 21 Jun 2008OR Tambo Hall, Mthatha, South Africa
3Loss2–1Nelson MtshaliPTS424 Nov 2007Mdantsane Indoor Centre, East London, South Africa
2Win2–0Loyiso DayimaniPTS426 Oct 2007OR Tambo Hall, Mthatha, South Africa
1Win1–0Sibusiso NgqalathiPTS415 Sep 2007Mmabatho, South Africa