Like a lamb to the slaughter
NDLOVU FACES DAUNTING TASK AGAINST CHAUKE
IF PRINCE Ndlovu, the No 1 contender for the SA featherweight title, lasts more than six rounds against Oscar Chauke tomorrow night, the champion will be prolonging the fight for the cameras. Their 12-rounder – which will headline a tournament presented at the Giyani Community Hall by Hlanganisa Sport Promotions – is a mismatch.
Ndlovu is a novice of only eight wins, three by short route, a loss and four draws.
He has been asked to fight 10 rounds only once when he outpointed Sydney Maluleke for the Limpopo featherweight belt in June last year.
In his last bout in October in Pretoria against Sibusiso “Spook ” Zingange – a promising youngster with only six bouts — Ndlovu could only settle for a draw after their closely-contested six-rounder. But Ndlovu has not lost a fight since June 2012 when he was defeated by unknown Lwando Molwana over six rounds in Cape Town.
Ndlovu has since chalked up three wins and three draws.
Chauke is a war veteran who has been around since 1999 with 33 wins (11 KOs), nine defeats and three draws.
In his last fight in February, Chauke outpointed Namibian Gottlieb Ndokosho for the IBF Inter-Continental belt.
The Sowetan – who has been under the guidance of respected trainer Manny Fernandes since 2002 – has boxed 285 rounds.
Said Fernandes: “We expect Prince to come out all guns blazing but we will take him to deep waters and see if he can swim.
“I predict a late knock out win for Oscar who is maturing like wine. The older he gets, the better he becomes.”
In another fight on the night, Maluleke has promised a spirited performance against Zimbabwean Tawada Chigwida in their eight-rounder in the featherweight division to put himself in line for a showdown with Macbute Sinyabi.
“I want to redeem myself and get back into the ratings. I believe that beating top guys like Macbute will convince the ratings committee that I am still a force to be reckoned with,” Maluleke said.
The former SA featherweight champion, whose name has been erased from the top 10.
Female SA bantamweight holder, Bukiwe Nonina, will welcome Zimbabwean Patience Mastara in an eight-rounder, while Renson Hobyane and Johannes Pietersen will do battle over eight rounds in the super middleweight division.
There will be three more bouts and action will begin at 7pm.