Crocodile stalking Mokoena
Trainer impressed after ace drops three divisions
Unheralded trainer Bernie Pailman says he has never seen his charge Tebogo “Crocodile” Malose so fit since the pair joined forces two years ago.
Malose is a replica of former South African featherweight champion Edward “The Spoiler” Mpofu, who did everything wrong in the book but, shockingly, it worked for him.
Mpofu and Malose were trained by Eugene Khanyile. Mpofu has since quit while Malose is still fighting hard.
The lanky boxer from Meadowlands will oppose Michael Mokoena for the vacant Gauteng junior welterweight belt at the Portuguese Hall, south of Johannesburg, on Sunday.
Their 10-rounder will form part of the “Trilogy Boxing Festival” to be staged by Unleashed Promotions of Shereen Hunter.
Mokoena is trained by Anton Gilmore. Pailman, who has produced nine champions, said: “Tebogo dropped three divisions, from middleweight to junior middleweight and welterweight to be at junior welterweight where he will challenge Mokoena. That talks to me about dedication and hard work.
“I know for sure that he will be crowned on Sunday.”
The boxer said: “I am more experienced than Michael. After the weigh-in I will come bigger than him. He is a natural lightweight. I am taller and stronger than him. If he stands toe-to-toe with me then he will make life easy for me.”
Mokoena has eight wins, with his only loss coming to former Gauteng lightweight champion Jeff Magagane last year.
There will be seven more bouts including a heavyweight female clash between Shayvonne Pattison and Lilian Molala. Action will begin at 2pm.