Two of Cape Town’s best boxing exports will be competing in east London on two different tournaments this upcoming weekend. The duo is Guguletu’s Toto Helebe who will be defending his national bantamweight crown and Mzuvukile Magwaca who will be challenging for the IBF international Bantamweight title.
Old bones Magwaca will be exchanging leather with a little known Nicaraguan champion Yesner Talavera in East London’s International Convention Centre on Friday 28 July 2017. The last time the Nicaraguan fighter fought was more than 12 months ago and he comes with a record of 15 Wins, 4 loses and a solitary draw. Meanwhile Magwaca comes with a record of 18 Wins, No loss, and only 2 draws. He is now looking for 19th Win and challenging his stablemate Zolani Tete as the number 1 pound for pound fighter in the country. Magwaca’s fight will be televised live on SABC 2 around 09h00 pm.
On Sunday 30 July in Orient Theatre Toto Helebe will be defending his title against Cebo Ngema for the second time. The last time both Boxers fought in Cape Town early 2014 and Helebe emerged victorious. This will be for the third time both Boxers face each other and in all other two encounters Toto Helebe was victorious. Toto Helebe has fought 24 fights winning 17 and losing only 7. He has been a national Bantamweight champion for atleast 5 years since he took the prestigious crown from Phumzile Matyhila in the same orient theatre back in June 2012. Helebe will be looking to pass Sandile Sobandla’s 3 title defences if he manages to defend for the 4th time only half of Deriick Whiteboy’s 8 title defences.
The Bantamweight division is filled with 3 other international contenders in Zolani Tete, Ronald Malindi and Soboniso Gonya whom have opted to compete internationally rather than to challenge Helebe. This leaves Boxing pundits speculating about how most fighters are avoiding exchanging leather with Helebe. He was forced last year to fight as a super Bantam against natural super bantamweight campaigners resulting in 2 loses respectively. His fourth title defence will be under Rumble Africa Promotions of Terris Ntuthu and doors will open at 13h00 on Sunday afternoon.
