Historically Cape Town, South Africa has been known in boxing for developing some outstanding talents over the years. One thinks of Happyboy Mgxagi, Sidney Hoho, Bashew Sibaca, Gary Murray, Nika Khumalo and Mzonke Fana to mention but a few of the stars who have emerged out of Cape Town..
Often talented fighters in this region are not afforded the opportunity to showcase their skills. On 23 June at the famous MewWay Centre in Khaylelisha, former Congolese fighter and now turned promoter, Commando Kalekuzi is providing two exciting young fighters with the opportunity of fighting for the WBF All-African lightweight title.
Vusumzi Tyatyeka is now being trained by top Cape Town trainer Zola Koti, the former trainer of Boxrec # 1 Mzonke Fana, and believes that Tyatyeka has great potential to reach the top. He is rated number 3 in South Africa and has accumulated a record of 12-2 with 10 KOs. His only two losses have both been to Patrick Malinga, the current South African champion and both were in title fights.
Thanduxolo Dyani is rated number five in South Africa in the junior lightweight division, and has also built up an impressive record of 11-1 with 6 KOs. His only loss was to current South African champion and former world title contender Godfrey Nzimande.
This promises to be a thriller which will catapult the winner on to a much bigger stage in the future. It also signifies the return of championship boxing to Cape Town, with a mega event to follow at the end of August.
Montes Ready For First WBF Title-Defense
World Boxing Federation World Super Flyweight Champion Juan Jose Montes is set to defend his title for the first time on June 2 at the Coliseo Olimpico de la UG in Guadalajara, Mexico, as he takes on fellow countryman Victor Zaleta on a show promoted by HG Promotions headed by Hector Garcia.
Montes, 22-1 (14), won the WBF World title in an outright war against another Mexican, Oscar Ibara, this past February, and a Montes vs. Ibara rematch is something that boxing fans in Mexico are looking forward to. But the world champion knows that he can’t look past Zaleta, 20-2 (10), and that he has a tough hurdle to pass on June 2:
“I always train hard, but this time even harder than usual as this will be my first title defense. I don’t compromise”, says the 22-year-old, and continues:
“I know he is a boxer with great experience from both the amateurs and the pros, and this motivates me in my preparations. I have sparred more than a hundred rounds, and I guarantee a good performance”.
Victor Zaleta is indeed a dangerous challenger for Montes. Having won several minor titles early in his career, and defeated significant names such as former world champions Eric Ortiz, Jose Antonio Aguirre and Gilberto Keb Bass (twice), he could be one of the best, if not the best, opponent Montes has faced so far.
In February 2011 Zaleta came up short in a WBO world title fight in Argentina, losing a decision to undefeated reigning champion Omar Narvaez, but since then he has rebounded with three impressive victories to get in line for another world title opportunity. And this time it will be in his native country, and he is an important experience richer.
The Juan Jose Montes vs. Victor Zaleta WBF World Super Flyweight title fight will headline HG Boxing’s “Pegada Explosiva IV” promotion, and will be televised live in Mexico by Televisa. Also on the card will be WBF Womens World Flyweight Champion Irma Sanchez in a non-title bout against Ibeth Zamora Silva.