6 title fights at stake this weekend. Of the 6 titles one will be a fully-fledged IBO World Title, 2 IBF inter – continental titles, and 4 South African titles.
Convention Centre, East London
Gedeon Buthelezi will be defending his IBO Super flyweight title against Ryan Rey Ponteras. Buthelezi will be staging his 4th title defence since he regained his title back in 2015 when he embarrassed Makazole Tete in front of the Orient Theatre crowd. He had his own fair share of losing while challenging for the same title back in 2012, 2013, and 2015 respectively.
Main supporting bout will see Mzuvukile “Old bones” Magwaca exchanging leather with a little known Nicaraguan champion Yesner Talavera in East London’s. 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.
Also in the same tournament Ludumo Lamati will be fighting for the vacant IBF inter-continental Super Bantamweight title against Luis Melendez. . Siphamandla Baleni will also defend his South African Minimum weight title against Bangile Nyangani.
Other fights: Super Flyweight: Yanga Sigqibo vs Mfundo Gwayana, Welterweight: Ayanda Nogogo vs Khakhathi Ramuntshi, and Super Flyweight: Sikho Nqothole vs Saul Hlungwane. Venue will be International Convention Centre on Friday 28 July 2017.
Orient Theatre, East London
On Sunday 30 July in Orient Theatre Toto Helebe will be defending his title for the fourth time and 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.
Other title bouts: South African featherweight title will be at stake when Azinga Fuzile defends against Rofhiwa maemu. On the other hand the national Flyweight title contest will be between Thembelani Nxoshe and Xolisile Voyi.
Others: Featherweight: Khanyile Bulana vs Sithembile Luzipho, Super Bantaweight: Siphosethu Mvula vs Bonakele Bhikitsha, Minimumweight: Khanyiso Siko vs Simthembile Mbande, Minimumweight: Siphenathi Dasa vs Phumlani maloni, and Light Flyweight: Sandile Wessels vs Sive Nontshinga. The fights will be promoted by Rumble Africa.
Lwandle, Cape Town
There will also be action in Cape Town when Charles Mjikelo’s Amandla Boxing Promotion hosts development tournament in Lwandle community hall. The fight will be headlined by Zimbabwe’s Tapiwa Jaravaza when he fights his 5th fight against Lukhanyo Kapteni of 9th South African Infantry battalion boxing club. This will be the grudge match in the Lightweight division as Tapiwa has brushed aside all his previous oponents since turning professional back in 2015. On the other hand Kapteni looks the only Boxer that can test Jaravaza as he has fought the likes of Christiano Ndombassy and survived in all rounds.
Other bouts: Light Flyweight: Lazola Mjonono vs Ayanda Fatyi, Super featherweight: Lwandile Gugushe vs Siphenathi Qampi, Featherweight: Mayihlome Mjonono vs Mtsepua Mthembu, Featherweight: Thembani Mbangatha vs Welcome Mathe, Featherweight: Ryan Mthandani vs Loyiso Kewuti and Welterweight: Mvuzo nkothobe vs Gregory Gans. Date: 30 July 2017 Time: 13h00 and Admission will be R 50.
