By Jake Donovan

Sadly for the fans looking forward to his return and possible career resurrection, efforts to bring Joyi to the boxing world were ultimately thwarted.

The planned February 28 rematch between Rey Loreto and Nkosinathi Joyi in South Africa was cancelled at the 11th hour due to the lack of a supporting undercard. Several preliminary bouts fell through late in the week, leaving the promoters without enough time to replace them and thus forcing the local commission to withdraw its sanctioning of the show.

A rescheduled date has yet to be announced, although it will eventually mark the third attempt to get them back in the ring. A similar occurrence took place during the previous attempt to stage the rematch last December, which of course subjects the local promoters to the validity of its efforts to put together this bout and whether a new location - and promotion - needs to come into play. 

Loreto (19-13, 11KOs) shocked the boxing world with his 3rd round knockout of Joyi in Monte Carlo last February, his second straight upset. The Filipino journeyman had previously scored a points win over former strawweight titlist Pornsawan Porpramook on the road in Thailand in August. He has won three straight overall. 

Joyi (24-3, 17KOs) was once the baddest strawweight on the planet but has fallen on hard times in recent years. A shocking knockout loss to Mario Rodriguez ended his stay as strawweight champ in Sept. '12, and also his run as an unbeaten fighter. The East Londoner has dropped three of his last five, including a points loss to countryman Hekkie Budler wedged in between his knockout defeats. 

The upset knockout at the hands of Loreto represents Joyi's last piece of ring action. The 31-year old ex-champ is not yet ready to call it a career, but a better promotional effort than what he's received in recent months will be needed in order to maximize whatever he may still have left in a seemingly shopworn arsenal.

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox