Babui geared up for title fight
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday May 17, 2019 11:16
The 24-year-old is the third local boxer to have a shot at an international title.
He could be the first local pro boxing champion, after Leslie Sekotswe failed to clinch IBF Bantamweight title against Namibian Immanuel Naidjala five years ago.
On the other hand, Steven ‘Small’ Bagwasi lost to South Africa’s Ayanda ‘Greyhound’ Nkosi, for the WBA Pan African Lightweight title last December. Speaking to Mmegi Sport this week, Babui’s trainer and promoter, Thuso ‘Scud’ Khubamang said the stocky boxer has adjusted well to the featherweight category after downgrading from the lightweight for the first time since 2009.
“We have been preparing for the last four months. We did three sessions a day, but we have now tuned it down to just two so he could adjust to the lower category. He is in good shape, yesterday (Tuesday) he weighed 54kg but the limit is 55.2kg, this shows he is super fit for the fight,” he said.
Babui has an impressive record of six wins and draws from eight bouts, but Khubamang is beaming with confidence as he said ‘Gearbox’ is going for a knockout.
Ngema is, on paper, at par with Gearbox after winning four, losing twice while playing to a draw once in seven bouts.
“This record is as impressive as we see it and this is a title fight so he has to go all out. We watched the videos of our opponents; he is tall and that could be an advantage. But his height should not be a threat, he is a relaxed fighter, he does not like the pressure. So we will go all out from the first bell. The intention is to put him under immense pressure. I do not see this fight going beyond many rounds, we are looking to finish it as early as possible,” Khubamang said.
“It is important that he (Babui) wins this bout. This will show the government that there is potential in other sporting codes other than football. Yes, we acknowledge that football has the best following in the country but there is potential in pro boxing and other codes.”