Fuzile promised a real boxing lesson

SA featherweight champ puts his belt on the line against experienced ‘Skeleton’

Sensational 19-year-old SA featherweight boxing champion Azinga “Golden Boy” Fuzile must prepare himself for a free but painful boxing lesson on Saturday evening.

This warning was issued yesterday by trainer Bernie Pailman whose charge Sydney “Skeleton” Maluleke faces Fuzile at East London’s Orient Theatre.

Fuzile, from Duncan Village, will put his belt on the line against the 33-year-old talented but wayward IBF Africa holder Maluleke from Giyani. The winner takes both belts. Fuzile is undefeated in six fights, while Maluleke has 17 wins in 24 fights.

Their bout will headline a bill of promoter Tarries Ntuthu who trades under Rumble Africa Promotions.

Pailman said: “Sydney is in the prime of his career. I am not taking anything away from Azinga but he is fighting someone different, experienced and somebody who will teach him boxing.”

Maluleke looked stunning when he beat David Rajuili for the vacant IBF African belt in June last year. It would remain his last fight until now.

Fuzile, then a four-fight novice, won the SA belt from veteran Mabhuti Sinyabi in October.

He added the WBC youth belt with a first round demolition of Giorgi Gochisvilli in December, and his accomplishments duly earned him the 2016 BSA prospect of the year award.

Fuzile’s trainer Mzamo “Chief ” Njekanye was also voted 2016 BSA trainer of the year.