Two Duncan Village boxers will compete for drawing power when they headline tournaments on the same weekend at East London’s Orient Theatre in two weeks.
The first to test his popularity will be Siyabulela Hem when he engages in a rematch against veteran Bongani Mahlangu for the SA junior-featherweight title in a Xaba Promotions show on Saturday December 14.
The next day, Last Born Promotions (LBP) will present crowd favourite Azinga Fuzile against Filipino Eduardo Mancito in an international junior-lightweight clash.
While Hem’s rematch will mark the first time he headlines a show, the drama surrounding the return clash will likely fill up the venue after Hem escaped with a disputed decision in Midrand in September.
Mahlangu, who previously assumed “EL Monster” due to his good run against local boxers, has vowed to take back the title he feels was unfairly taken from him.
The 45-year-old, who is the oldest active SA boxer, appealed against the decision, with Boxing SA siding with him after reviewing the fight to set up the highly anticipated bout which is expected to attract a big crowd.
And the 21-year-old Hem has thrown down the gauntlet by promising to send Mahlangu to retirement.
“This is it this time, he will never box after this rematch,” he said.
XP boss Ayanda Matiti, who promoted the Boipatong veteran when he embarked on a reign of terror at the iconic venue, backed his boxer not only to beat Mahlangu but to do so by a stoppage to send out a warning that he is the future star.
“Hem is the brightest prospect in SA boxing and the fact that he is already a national champion at his age speaks volumes about his potential,” he said.
“Mahlangu’s time is over and I do not see the fight going seven rounds.
“We are expecting boxing fans to come in big numbers to witness the demise of Mahlangu and the birth of a new superstar.”
Matiti, whose show will be screened by SuperSport, will also feature two SA title bouts to add more lustre.
Siseko Teyisi, 19, is challenging for the vacant SA junior-flyweight crown against KwaZulu-Natal’s Mfanuvele Ntuli, while Mdantsane’s Asanda Gingqi will risk his junior-lightweight belt against Ntuli’s homeboy, Khanyisani Mbokazi.
“If this will not be the biggest show of the weekend I do not know what will be,” Matiti said, stopping short of saying his event was the more attractive.
But LBP differed, feeling their show on the following day would draw full house despite the disdain over Fuzile’s choice of opponent.
Mancito has been widely dismissed as a worthy opponent due to losing 16 bouts with just 20 wins.
But the Filipino, who comes with a reputation of being a road warrior having been mostly used to test prospects around the world or serve as a warm-up to opponents to boxers chasing world title shots, is expected to give Fuzile much-needed rounds.
“Fuzile is a proven crowd-puller regardless of his opponent so we are not overly concerned by the attendance,” LBP’s Mla Tengimfene said.
The undercard clash featuring Fuzile’s stablemate, Mthokozisi Ngxaka, against Thami Luthuli, which will likely be elevated to a fully-fledged SA mini-flyweight title clash, will also boost attendance.
Both shows will also feature bright prospects, with XP’s spring chickens Tiisetso Matikinca and Sinovuyo Mthintelwa given a platform to showcase their talent.
Highly touted Sanele Sogcwayi will make his professional debut in LBP’s event with an appearance of top-rated Lusizo Manzana.
Daily Dispatch
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