The second ESPN Africa Boxing event of 2022 will see seven bouts taking place in Johannesburg on Thursday Feb. 24, with Phila Mpontshane attempting to defend is his South African Junior Lightweight belt for a fifth time.
Mpontshane, who nabbed the title in 2016, will come up against challenger Sibusiso Zingange, while Smangele Hadebe and Halima Vunjabei will battle for the vacant ABU [African Boxing Union] Female Flyweight title.
Despite being the repeat champion, Mpontshane comes into this bout off the back of a split decision loss to Khanyile Bulana in his last professional outing. However, the match took place over two years ago in September of 2019, so ring rust must surely be a concern.
Looking ahead to the fight, though, the champion is confident of retaining his title: “I don’t expect any problems from my opponent. I have known Sibusiso for a very long time. He’s fought in front of us and we know what to expect from him.
“I haven’t fought for a while, but I have been training this whole time and I am ready. Nothing scares me in the ring.
“The title is going nowhere. I will die in the ring before giving up the title. The title is going to remain with the rightful owner. I have too much power and skill for my opponent.”
An eager Zingnge has been a lot more active than his opponent in recent times, and his most recent fight saw him claim a unanimous decision win over Prince Ndlovu in December last year, leaving his record at 16-2-5.
“I’m feeling good and ready for the fight. Phila’s time as a champion is over,” said Zingange ahead of the title bout.
“I have watched his previous fights and nothing worries me. He won’t give me any problems. He relies on power and has no skills.
“I am bringing war. I am 100 percent prepared for this title fight. My opponent will be lucky to last 12 rounds.”
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The co-main event sees South Africa’s Hadebe come in on a five-fight winning streak, with her last victory a unanimous decision win over Thema Zuma in September last year.
Tanzania’s Vunjabei, meanwhile, comes into this clash relatively fresh from a second-round TKO win over Nozwelethu Mathontsi, also in September last year.
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South Africa’s Smangele Hadebe is ready for anything when she faces Halima Vanjabei live on ESPN Africa.
The first bout on the main card will see Darrin Rossouw (3W-0L) taking on Thembani Mhlanga (3W-6L) in the junior middleweight division over six rounds.
Rossouw comes into this fight high in confidence following a TKO win over Nelson Mbhele in December of last year, leaving him with an undefeated record.
“I have had three fights, three wins, two Kos. I have dropped every opponent I have been in the ring with and I’m planning to drop another one on 24 February,” said Rossouw told ESPN, and, by extension, Mhlanga.
“I know I will beat him. I know he won’t be able to take my power and deal with my speed. He better bring his ‘A game’ because I am ready.”
Zimbabwe’s Mhlanga will be looking to redeem himself after his most recent fight saw him lose via unanimous decision to Phikelani Khumalo in December of 2021. His last win came as far back as September 2019, when he beat Aidan Quin by majority decision.
The second bout of the night is a six-round featherweight fight between Abdul-aziz Kunert (10W-1L) and Sithembiso Maduna (9W-1L).
Kunert is looking to bounce back from his first defeat, after losing via split decision to Asanda Gingqi in September last year. That loss ended a 12-fight winning streak for Kunert, but he has vowed to bounce back with a bang.
“I have only lost once, but I will bounce back and I will be South African champion very soon,” said Kunert.
“Maduna is beatable. Everyone is beatable. We just have to execute our game. I will give everything in that ring to get a win. Maduna must be prepared because I am ready.”
Maduna is on a three-fight winning streak, but he may be a little ring rusty with his last bout a split decision win over Jeff Magagane in February 2021. His only loss came in June of 2019, going down via a points decision to Bongani Mahlangu.
The third bout of the main card will see Gift Bholo (8W-11L) take on Denis Mwale (8W-2L) in a junior welterweight fight over eight rounds.
Bholo will look to end a three-fight losing run, with his last bout a split decision loss to Xolani Mcotheli in September 2021. It has been a while since he tasted victory, with his last triumph coming against Timo Schwarzkopf in March 2019, but that has not deterred him ahead of this fight.
“Denis is a good boxer. I definitely don’t underestimate him, but I am going there to win the fight,” said Bholo.
“He is skillful, but skill doesn’t win fights, hard work does. And I have the skill to crack whatever door is closed. I believe in myself and I’m going to win, trust me.”
Mwale has also struggled in his recent matches, with his last bout a unanimous decision loss to Tanzanian Ismail Galiatano in December 2021. Despite his last win only coming in August 2019, the Malawian was not short of confidence.
“Gift better watch out and prepare his mind because I am coming for him,” said Mwale.
“I am a very skilful fighter and it doesn’t matter how much you have watched my fights, he won’t be ready for me.”
The undercard openers are Nelson Mbhele (2W-1L) v Sydney Ntsemi (0W-3L) in the middleweight division; and a flyweight bout between Thambi Luthuli (2W-0L-1D) and Rofhiwa Maphupha (1W-3L).
ESPN Africa Boxing events take place on the last Thursday of every month, and are televised to an audience of up to 60 million homes across Africa and Latin America.
The action on Thursday starts at 19:00 (CAT) on ESPN (DStv 218, Starsat 248), SABC Sport, and selected international broadcasters including ESPN across Latin America, as well as a highlights package in TKO (SABC 2, Fridays at 21:30).
Source: www.espn.com