Phumelela Cafu’s father hailed his gutsy performance in his world unification title clash against Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez and appealed for him to be given a hero’s welcome despite losing the fight.
The Duncan Village star was stopped in the 10th round of a firefight pitting unbeaten world champions risking their WBO, WBC and Ring Magazine junior-bantamweight belts at the Ford Centre at the Star in Texas at the weekend.
Both boxers emerged with bruises on their faces with Rodriguez sporting a welt under his left eye to underline the tough battle.
While Cafu fought on the back foot for the entire bout, he had his moments and was able to land his own punches amid Rodriguez’s onslaught.
It was after taking big punches in the ninth round when Cafu appeared to wilt, prompting his trainer Colin Nathan to threaten to stop the fight.
After being clipped by a right hook in the 10th which wobbled him badly and only avoided being counted when he took Rodriguez down with him, Nathan waved the towel to signal the referee to stop the fight.
Rodriguez described the fight as his hardest and was seen giving Cafu back his WBO title as a sign of respect.
Cafu’s father Thembisile Mfazwe, an ex-professional boxer, said his son went down fighting against one of the best boxers pound for pound in the world.
“To us, by merely fighting at that level and daring to be great, he is the winner,” he said.
“Imagine someone from Duncan Village standing tall in the world and giving his all.
“If that should not serve as inspiration, I do not know what it is.”
Mfazwe thanked the fans for their support in Cafu’s big moment, saying it motivated him to try his best knowing people back home were behind him.
“Your support means the world to him, and even though the outcome was not what we wanted, the backing you gave the family will make him stronger.
“He will bounce back, and we cannot wait to celebrate the victories with you again.”
Cafu’s return to East London from Johannesburg, where he trains, has not been confirmed as yet.
However, Mfazwe believes his son still deserves a hero’s welcome for putting the region on the world map.
The loss was his first in 15 bouts, with three draws and his team are expected to sit down and plot his next move.
Boxing experts have suggested that Cafu goes after the IBF title held by Mexican Willibaldo Garcia, who is considered the weakest champion in the division, while Rodriguez chases a clash against WBA belt-holder Fernando Martinez in Saudi Arabia on November 22.
Daily Dispatch
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