Duncan Village boxing superstar Phumelela Cafu began his training camp on Monday for his historic world junior-bantamweight title unification clash against Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez, determined to fulfil several promises he made to his loved ones and himself.
Cafu will risk his WBO title against the American's WBC and Ring Magazine titles at the Ford Centre in Frisco, Texas, marking the first time an Eastern Cape boxer engages in a world title unification clash.
The fight to be streamed worldwide on DAZN will feature two unbeaten stars, with Cafu up against an opponent widely rated in the pound-for-pound list.
It represents a roller-coaster ride for the 26-year-old who started boxing in the dilapidated, water-leaking makeshift boxing clubs in Duncan Village never dreaming that his career would transcend the barriers.
“When I started boxing, my trajectory was winning the SA title, and even that would have been the biggest achievement,” he said.
“But after becoming a world champion, I suddenly realised my life could change as these big fights became possible.”
Unbeaten in 14 bouts with three draws, Cafu started the first step towards his incredible world boxing journey when he upset four-division world champion Kosei Tanaka to wrest the WBO crown in Japan in October.
Given no chance against the free-swinging Japanese, whose only loss was to compatriot Kazuto Ioka, Cafu lived up to his first name, which translates to “success”, as he stunned the boxing world by flooring his foe en route to a split-decision victory.
He was scheduled to make the maiden defence of the title on May 24, with East London originally one of the targeted venues before negotiations to face Rodriguez started in March.
When the contract was signed on April 16, the fight was sealed, forcing Cafu to withdraw from the May bout, and giving him an opportunity to fulfil the promise he made after beating Tanaka to buy his mother a house.
“I am buying her the house shortly after my return from the fight,” he said.
While refusing to disclose the purse he would be fighting for, he confirmed it would be a handsome payday, which would allow him to buy the house.
Cafu admitted that he would go to the fight as an underdog due to Rodriguez’s pedigree of dominating the flyweight and junior-bantamweight divisions while amassing 21 bouts.
While acknowledging the talent of the 25-year-old, such as precision punching, sleek defence, hand speed and power, he has detected weaknesses he intends to exploit.
“I have watched Bam for a long time, and I must admit he does most things the right way,” he said.
“But he is beatable if you know how to use your strength correctly, and that is what I intend to do.”
While crediting God for opening doors for him, Cafu lauded his manager, Colin Nathan, for securing him the biggest fight of his life, which will deliver him to the International Boxing Hall of Fame if he returns home triumphant.
Daily Dispatch
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.