Mbumbulwana set on keeping title

Luthando Mbumbulwana is determined to hold on to his provincial junior-featherweight title and remain relevant in the division in a defence in Mthatha on Saturday.

The southpaw boxer will return to his OR Tambo Hall stamping ground to risk his crown against Siyabulela Hem and headline the Fireworks Promotions show after falling short in an SA title challenge in September.

Mbumbulwana was stopped in seven rounds by veteran champion Bongani Mahlangu for a second failure to win the title after again coming short against Siviwe Hasheni in 2014.

He has virtually come up short when stepping up the level of opposition, having lost to the likes of Ludumo Lamati, Ayabonga Sonjica and Innocent Mantengu, who all went on to become SA champions.

On the verge of being relegated to the gatekeeper status of the division, he will need to beat lower-level opposition such as Hem before seeing himself being used as a stepping stone.

Despite the previous setback Mbumbulwana has not given up, though he holds an academic qualification to have something to fall back on.

Having won the title when he outlasted Sonwabile Marenene at the same venue in 2022, the veteran boxer is confident of retaining it against Duncan Village’s Hem.

Tournament matchmaker Luyanda Kana cautioned Mbumbuwana to be at his best if he wanted to hang on to the title.

“Hem is such a dangerous boxer and if Mbumbulwana takes him lightly he will be relieved of the title,” he said.

Hem, who trains at the champion-producing Xaba Boxing Club, has lost once in six bouts, with a draw, and is enjoying a three-fight winning streak since his draw against Lopez Maluleke.

After besting Luvo Xhomfo in Soweto, he was back to annihilate Masixole Divani in four rounds in Sada in December.

Both boxers were given a clean bill of health at their midweek premedical with their weights within the limit. Mbumbulwana registered 57,90kg and Hem was lighter at 57,25kg.

The tournament will also see the return of talented miniflyweight Qhamani Mhlana after his failed challenge for the provincial title when he lost to Siphesihle Sityo.

The left-hander, whose loss to Sityo was only his fourth bout, will attempt to use Gcobani Mdeliswa as a victim to get back to winning ways.

Four other bouts will complete the show.

The left-hander, whose loss to Sityo was only his fourth bout, will attempt to use Gcobani Mdeliswa as a victim to get back to winning ways