Tough battle awaits Letshikgwane
Calistus Kolantsho | Saturday March 9, 2024 06:55
Letshikgwane's promoter, Bond Ngubula, expressed their decision to immerse the boxer in high-stakes competition, foreseeing potential opportunities for the local athlete contesting for the ABU bantamweight. Letshikgwane defended his title in October amidst controversy against Zimbabwean opponent, Bongani 'Captain' Makorova.
The seasoned Mahlangu, a former champion of the World Boxing Association (WBA) Pan African, World Boxing Organisation (WBO), International Boxing Federation (IBF), and ABU world titles, is set to face Letshikgwane in an event titled, 'The Ultimate Battle' on April 6 at the Fairgrounds Holdings. Ngubula highlighted the challenges in event preparations due to delayed fund releases from sponsors. "When the process of releasing funds is slow, it affects the whole process. We are not able to market the event as much as we want because marketing needs a huge budget.
But we just have to keep pushing," he noted. Representatives from seven countries—Botswana, Argentina, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, the Philippines, and South Africa—will partake in eight action-packed bouts. Undefeated welterweight boxer, Mmusi Tswiigi, will face Filipino boxer Elmo Traya, known for his orthodox style and proficient padwork.
Tswiigi expressed readiness to defend himself and secure a victory. The sole women's bout features Keamogetse ‘Sadie’ Kenosi against Nigeria's Zainab Bakare, marking Kenosi as the second woman to turn professional in the country. Additional bouts include Aobakwe Mphezulu's second appearance against Tshephang ‘Rambo’ Gomotho; Kagoetsile ‘Sparta’ Raokgwathile's second pro-fight in a five-round contest against Cebelihle Mpanza from South Africa, and veteran Lentswe Zwinila facing Juan Monzon from Argentina. Thabiso Mpolokeng will battle Gabriel Ochieng from Kenya for the international featherweight title.