Scara’s punch lands him on top of the world
Onkarabile Johnson ‘Scara’ Mothibedi is floating on cloud nine after his powerful punches landed him a World Boxing Federation (WBF) title last week. Mothibedi took apart a confident Tshepang ‘Babui’ Gearbox in a WBF International Super Bantamweight title fight at the Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC) last Friday night.
Mothibedi was declared the winner after a unanimous judges’ decision following a gripping 12-round contest. Judges David Nyathi, Edwin Kgedi and Lesego Tladi all scored the fight in his favour, 115-113, 116-112, 117-111 respectively. The win improved Scara’s professional record to 6-2 (1).
The boxer walked away P25,000 richer.
He is the first Motswana to win a world boxing champion title on home soil. Lesley Sekotswe was the first local boxer to win a WBF title in South Africa. The cool, calm and collected boxer transforms into a beast once he steps into the ring. Born in Gaborone 27 years ago, Mothibedi’s love for boxing developed at an early age.
“I fell in love with boxing since my primary school days. When I enrolled at Lotlamoreng Junior Secondary School in 2008, I joined the school’s boxing club. I continued with boxing until I joined BMC Club in Lobatse. I was inspired to become a boxer by Floyd Mayweather Jr,” said the Goodhope native.
Mothibedi said during his amateur days he was under the tutelage of legendary coach, Dinners Sikele. The orthodox pugilist was an amateur boxer for 12 years and turned professional in 2018. His first professional bout was against a Zambian opponent and he broke his duck right away.
Mothibedi said he had a successful career as in the amateur ranks recording more than 100 wins.
“I have lost count of the number of amateur bouts that I have won, but it is over 100. In 2013, I became Best of Best champion and in 2014 at the National Championship I walked away with a silver medal. During that fight I was against Oteng Oteng and it was selected as the bout of the championship,” the softspoken Mothibedi said.
He added despite his talent, he failed to nail down a regular berth in the national team. Scara said some people felt he was not good enough. Regarding the state of professional boxing in Botswana, Mothibedi said the stakes are now high because they have started to compete for titles.
He said winning the WBF International Super Bantamweight belt it means he must defend it in a few months. He added the plan is also to challenge for other titles. Mothibedi joined the Top Ten stable in 2016.
“My role model is myself because that makes me push myself harder. My powerful punch is my left hook and it always sends my opponents to the canvas,” he said. Scara’s coach, Ookeditse Bobeilwe said the boxer is disciplined inside and outside the ring.
“I am happy about his win over the weekend. He rewrote professional boxing history and put him in the map. Our game plan was to maintain a good start and a good finish,” Bobeilwe said.