Skeleton is out to prove he’s no clown
Ring showman warns that he’ll retire Chauke
Former SA and IBF Continental featherweight champion Sydney “Skeleton” Maluleke does not take kindly to criticism that he is clowning around during fights, instead of concentrating on winning.
“That defines the entertainer I am,” he said yesterday.
The boxer from Giyani, whose skills are honed by Bernie Pailman in Westbury, Joburg, said he will prove his detractors wrong when he faces Oscar “Golden Boy” Chauke for the WBF International junior lightweight title in Polokwane on October 20.
“I am sending Oscar into retirement,” warned Maluleke.
“He must quit and assist his trainer Manny Fernandes. I don’t undermine Oscar at all but the truth is that it is too late for him to redeem himself. He must either be a bucket man for Manny or cut man.”
Maluleke added that clowning during fights is similar to football when a player puts the ball between an opponent’s legs.
“It is the same with me. This is my style of entertaining people. That is why when I fight, people come in big numbers to enjoy entertainment,” he said.
“Look at my fights in Polokwane, Venda, Johannesburg and East London, I always attract big crowds because people love what I do.”
Maluleke – who lost the IBF Continental featherweight belt to Azinga “Golden Boy” Fuzile in East London in May – said he won’t change his fighting style when he takes on Chauke.
The October 20 bill will be presented by promoter James Maphepha’s Limpopo Boxing Promotions at Meropa Casino.
“I will bring bums on seats,” boasted Maluleke.
He was in his element against David Rajuili at Wembley Arena in June.
He controlled the entire fight, but opted to dance for the crowd instead of finishing his opponent off with a knockout.
Maluleke eventually won on points.
Chauke, 37, is a former SA, WBF junior featherweight, SA and IBF Continental featherweight and WBF Intercontinental junior lightweight titlist who lost in his bid for the WBO Africa featherweight title to Sakaria Lukas in Namibia in April.
The 50-fight veteran from Soweto has 35 wins, 12 losses and three draws.