Best talents to show pedigree
Sive Nontshinga and Luyanda Ntwanambi are considered future champions, and on Sunday will begin their first step towards that goal when they contest for youth titles.
The pair are fighting for WBO Africa flyweight and junior-flyweight youth titles in the supporting bouts of the Rumble Africa Promotion (RAP) show.
Both boxers are unbeaten in five bouts, although 19-year-old Nontshinga seems to be getting all the spotlight due to his charisma.
Both were in action two months ago, scoring resounding stoppage victories.
Nontshinga won the ABU junior-flyweight crown when he repelled the tough challenge of Tisetso Modisadise, who pushed him all the way.
Ntwanambi, 20, easily brushed aside Morabedi Khotle inside two rounds.
Now they are looking to stretch their fight records at the expense of fellow unbeaten Tanzanian foes Muhsin Kizota and Adam Mbega.
Both visitors are expected to present a tough challenge to the two locals, with Ntwanambi facing the sterner test in his eight-fights foe.
Mbega has scored five stoppages, with his last bout being a harder than expected split nod over compatriot Hamidu Kwata. In the same show, Kizota beat Edward Nyamwanda on points.
Like Nontshinga, Kizota is 19 years old, but he has fought three times more than his adversary.
RAP is confident that the local pair will come through and win the youth titles, which will set a foundation for an assault on the bigger titles.
“This is the first step towards big things for these two, although Nontshinga has already won the continental title. Still, winning the WBO Africa youth title will put him in good stead,” said RAP co-ordinator Mfesi Nyathela.
With so many opportunities available due to the proliferation of new sanctioning bodies, talented boxers no longer need to go via the monotonous national title challenge, which is fraught with unnecessary politicking and bureaucratic redtape.
One such youngster is Siyakholwa Khuse, who will take on Athenkosi Thongwana in a tasty mini-flyweight duel on the same card.
Phumelela Sobahle from the Duncan Village Boxing Academy will oppose Sam Sithole in a lightweight clash.