Nxoshe eyes Lara’s scalp and title

Thembelani Nxoshe will take a giant step towards a world title challenge when he vies for the WBC International junior-bantamweight crown against Mexican Ulises Lara at the Mdantsane Indoor Centre on Friday.

The fight will also afford him a measure of revenge for his nemesis Nhlanhla Ngamntwini who was brutally knocked out by Lara in July.

Nxoshe lost to Ngamntwini before fighting to even terms in their rematch.

Both Nxoshe and Lara attended the fight pre-medical on Tuesday at an East London beachfront hotel where they were given a clean bill of health.

Nxoshe was slightly heavier at 52.2kg while Lara came in a gram lighter.

This much anticipated bout was scheduled for the September 30 annual Heritage Boxing Celebration but had to be postponed after Nxoshe sustained an injury while sparing.

Despite the injury scare, Nxoshe, who holds the SA junior-bantamweight title, said he had completely healed.

“Friday I’m wrapping that title around my waist no matter what. It’s either with points or the fight gets stopped, but at the end of the day I will be the new champion,” Nxoshe said.

“People shouldn’t expect anything extraordinary and I won’t say I’ll finish the fight in the second round or something like that, but I can guarantee you that this title is going to Mdantsane on Friday night.

“I’ve worked very hard for this fight, because I know I have a tough opponent in Lara, but I’m so prepared I’ll even make the fight look easy.”

Nxoshe said he drew inspiration from world boxing champion Zolani “Last Born” Tete, who is in Russia getting to ready to take in the World Boxing Super Series bout against Mikhael Aloyan on Saturday.

“Nomzet [Tete] motivates us locally bred boxers because he’s making big moves all over the world. So I want to represent my country well, just like he is doing in Russia.”

Xaba Promotions boss Ayanda Matiti, who is organising the fight, said the preparations for fight night were in order.

This follows reports that Boxing SA was going to pull the plug on the fight due to levies owed by Matiti.

To ensure impartiality there will be one judge from Mexico.

The fight will be broadcast live on SuperSport at 7.30pm.