Three champions putting their titles on the line

THREE reigning South African boxing champions will put their titles on the line when they defend their belts at a unique event at Nasrec Arena on Sunday.

Promoter Luvuyo Mngxaso’s bill has been dubbed The Testament and junior middleweight champion Nkululeko Mhlongo will defend against Tebogo Malose, while Tsiko Mulovhedzi, the welterweight titleholder, will do battle against Ntuthuko Memela. Women’s champion Rita Mrwebi will put her welterweight belt on the line against Julia Tshabalala.

The fighters exchanged verbal barbs at a media briefing this week and delighted fight publicist Luvuyo Matsha who had urged them to make over-the-top statements as a way to hype the bill.

‘‘Tebogo may last for one or two rounds, but the truth is I don’t see us going beyond three rounds,” warned Mhlongo, who will make his debut under trainer Sechaba Mabuya after his former mentor Jabulani Malinga died two months ago. ‘‘I did not go overboard with my preparations because I have too much skills.”

Mulovhedzi said: ‘‘The title will remain with its rightful owner. Whether points or knockout, it does not matter, I will retain my title.” Mrwebi said nothing would stop her from retaining her title because ‘‘God is on my side”.

“It has been long that Julia voiced her wish to fight with me even when we were still stablemates, that time has come,” Mrwebi said.

Junior middleweight champion Tshabalala said she knew which buttons to press.

Malose warned Mhlongo to take the fight seriously. ‘‘I will be coming to take the title away.”

Bongani Mlotshwa, the No 4 contender in the middleweight class, will do battle with Elvis Ndlovu over six rounds while Morne Bothma and Deon Mbumba will meet in the junior lightweight over four rounds.

Crowd-pleaser Nyelisani Tagammbega will meet Foster Maluleka in the junior flyweight division while Wonder Mbeje and Emmanuel Ramokosi will collide in the junior lightweight class.