Defiant Duncan Village boxer Phumelela “Truth” Cafu fulfilled his world aspirations and consoled SA boxing fans by winning the WBO junior bantamweight title after dethroning Japan’s Kosei Tanaka at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo on Monday.
The win, which rates among the biggest by an SA boxer abroad, came just two days after the country surrendered its lone world title when Cafu’s stablemate, Sivenathi Nontshinga, was relieved of his IBF junior-flyweight belt by another Japanese fighter, Masamichi Yabuki, in Takoname, Nagoya, at the weekend.
Despite fighting outside the country for the first time, Cafu displayed incredible bravery and composure in not being overawed by the occasion as he matched the experienced Japanese boxer punch for punch.
Tanaka, who previously beat Cafu’s homeboy, Yanga Sigqibo, in a non-title bout in 2022 and came into the fight as a three-division world champion, seemed flummoxed by the SA challenger’s style.
He often walked into big right hands, while Cafu missed with his left hook.
As the fight progressed, Cafu gradually warmed up to the occasion as he timed Tanaka’s offence with big right counters.
The strategy finally hit home as Tanaka lunged with an uppercut which was countered by a ripping right, dropping the Japanese boxer heavily in the fifth round.
Tanaka suddenly fought with caution, while Cafu pressed the action in the sixth round.
Tanaka, whose previous loss was to compatriot Kazuto Ioka in a world title unification clash in 2020, rallied back using a combination of rapid punches and energy-sapping blows to assume control.
The body blows appeared to curtail Cafu’s offence until Tanaka abandoned the strategy, allowing his foe to get back into the fight.
The bout developed into a nip and tuck down the stretch with both boxers having their moments, with Cafu’s big, yet single blows, being offset by Tanaka’s flurry.
Sensing he might be behind on points, Tanaka closed the show big as Cafu tired visibly.
Before the scores were announced, Tanaka raised Cafu’s hands, acknowledging the tough fight he had given him.
The judges delivered similar scores of 114-113 for each of the two boxers, with Cafu getting the split decision nod.
Cafu said he was delighted to fulfil his world title ambitions, which started on the dusty streets of Duncan Village.
“This has always been my dream and I am grateful for finally realising it,” he said.
His childhood coach, Phila Mzamo, who worked with the boxer from the amateur ranks before he left to join Xaba Promotions, said he was always aware of Cafu’s bravery.
“He was always brave and at a time I pulled him back, which led to us splitting because he felt I was delaying him,” he said.
“But we remained close even when he left and I can’t be prouder of his achievements.”
After a couple of fights under XP, Cafu again upped and left, claiming he was delayed in his world title pursuit.
By beating Tanaka in his first world title shot, Cafu, who is yet to lose in 14 bouts and three draws, has restored SA’s international boxing pride, joining Kevin Lerena, who was recently elevated as the WBC bridgerweight champion.
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