Boxing

 

A look at South Africa's "World" Champions

By Colin Nathan

12.02 - South African boxing is currently on a high with 8 "world" champions. The reality is that nearly all of these "world" champions are good fighters but certainly are not great fighters. Now,before you start thinking to yourself that your scribe is being rather negative about his current crop of South African fighters, think about it this way, not one of them is regarded as a true world champion, and some you may have even never heard of before. However, here they are:

Sebastiaan Rothman - IBO cruiserweight champion: An extremely well conditioned fighter, he lacks the technical ability to make all the way to the top. He is now a "2" time world champion giving up the WBU title late last year to challenge for the vacant IBO title, in possibly the worst mismatch your scribe has ever seen for a "world" title, against Anthony Bigeni, in which he won by way of 5tko. His hardest fight to date was back in 1999 when he fought for the vacant SA cruiserweight title against Earl Morias, in which he stopped Morias in the 10th.The fight was judged "fight of the Year" at the King Korn Boxing Awards.

Future: Needs a name fighter to make him marketable, or a shot at one of the big boys.

Cassius Baloyi - IBO jnr lightweight champion: One of the few fighters in South Africa to be a three weight division "world" champion (WBU and IBO level). Won his first pro title in only his 15th fight and since then has gone on to have one of the most successful careers in South African boxing history. He had an absolute war in November 2001 with Phillip Ndou and lost on points over 12 rounds. It was voted fight of the year, and since then he has gone on to win his third "world" title (IBO) by stopping the formerly world rated Tiger Ari in 6 rounds. In his last fight he stopped the former 2 time "world" champion Mbulelo Botile in 11 exciting rounds. Which was voted last years "fight of the Year".

Future: Can certainly make some money out of the IBO title. But a rematch with Ndou is what everyone is craving for.

Lehlohononlo Ledwaba - WBU featherweight champion: This talented fighter may have now, reached the end of a popular career.Nick-named "Hands of Stone", he has been godd enough to win a WBU title at bantamweight and another title, IBF, at jnr feather. He lost his Jnr featherweight title on a crushing stoppage at the hands of Manny Pacquiao. Since then he has remained largely in-active, having only one fight since then and that was for the vacant WBU featherweight title against South African fighter and former IBF jnr featherweight champion Vuyani Bungu in which he won on points over 12 rounds.

Future: He would love to get Pacquiao back in the ring, very unlikely though. Look for him to defend his title or get stripped due to inactivity.

Silence Mabuza - IBO Bantamweight champion: At the age of 26, the world is his oyster. Winning his title in only his 11th pro fight he is probably the brightest talent of the lot. Not good enough yet to compete with the likes of Austin, Bredahl and Nakhonluang, but with a few more defences and a little more maturity he could certainly become one of the leading fighters in the division.

Future: Look for more defences of his IBO title and then challenge for a major one.

Lunga Ntontela - IBO jnr bantamweight champion: Nick-named "Mad Dog" on account of his constant pressure, it has to be said that he is surely one of our weaker champions at present. This young southpaw won the South African jnr bantamweight title in only his 8th pro fight by knocking out Mzi Dintzi in two rounds. He looked sensational in doing so, and all thought he was an amazing fighter. Then in his only defence of his domestic crown was floored and extremely lucky to retain his crown against Abbey Mnisi. He then contested for the vacant IBO title and won it with a points victory over Edison Torres who had already 16 losses to his name.

Future: Look for him to defend against bums and then go up against local fighter, who is currently the WBU jnr bantamweight champion, Gabula"Tiger" Vabaza and get knocked out.

Gabula Vabaza - WBU jnr bantamweight champion: Known as "Tiger", this here, is a real talent. Currently unbeaten in 16 contests (one draw) he is the WBU champion. He won the title with a crushing ko in the first round over defending champion Magoma Shabani. He is also the former South African flyweight champion having defended the title 4 times. He would absolutely knock his IBO rival, Lunga Ntontela, out within 7 rounds. Look for him to defend his title and then go up against Ntontela, which would create huge interest in South African boxing.

Mzukisi Sikali - IBO flyweight champion: At the age of 32 and having been a professional fighter since 1990, you could say that he is an over-achiever.He too, is a 3 weight division champion winning the WBU jnr flyweight title in Thailand, losing it via a 1st ko. Then, moving up to jnr bantamweight and winnning the WBU title via stoppage in Italy and then losing it on a bum decision to the same man with whom he won the title from. You can say he has had a remarkable career. In his last fight, he took the IBO flyweight title over the hot favorite and champion at the time, "Hawk" Makepula with a thrilling points victory capturing the title.The fight was nominated as fight of the year in South Africa.

Future: After compiling a record of 27wins( 16 kos) 4 losses and 2 draws, he can still be a force in the flyweight division. Look for him and Makepula to have another exciting return fight.

Mhikiza Myekeni - IBO jnr flyweight champion: Is set to defend his title this weekend for the first time against Wyndel Janiola, and could very well be an ex-champ this time next week. Being a former South African jnr flyweight champions, this young man jumped at the chance to fight for the vacant IBO jnr.flyweight, against Jose Garcia.His only loss has come via the short route against Anis Roga in Indonesia a few years back. He is strickly a boxing with only 4 kos to his name with 14 victories and that single loss.

Future: Lets see what happens on Saturday night. Well there you go, South Africa's list of "world" champions,well, did I not tell that you have never heard of some of these guys?

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