Klassen-Baloyi undercard!

By Ron Jackson

Branco Milenkovic of Branco Sports Productions has announced the undercard for the IBF junior lightweight title fight between Cassius Baloyi and Malcolm Klassen to be held at the North West University Sports Complex in Mafikeng on Saturday April 18. There are a scheduled 70 rounds of boxing with the main attraction being Baloyi’s second defence of his IBF belt against the mandatory challenger Malcolm Klassen. The 34-year-old Baloyi 36-3-1; 19 who has won six world organisation belts will be taking part in his 24th “world” title fight in his sixteenth year as a professional fighter. It has been reported that Baloyi will be receiving his biggest purse ever against the 28-year-old Klassen 23-4-2; 13, a former South African featherweight champion who also held the IBF junior lightweight belt for less than six months. This will be Klassen’s third “world” title fight and also his richest purse ever.

In the main supporting bout scheduled for 12 rounds world ranked Moruti Mthalane 22-2 defends his SA flyweight title against Lehlohonolo Ramagole 7-1. The only two defeats on Mthalane’s record were against Nkqubela Gwazela when challenging for the SA flyweight title and the controversial cut eye loss to Nonito Donaire when challenging for the for the IBF and IBO flyweight belts. The 25-year-old Ramagole has only lost to Joel Kunene.

In another scheduled 12 rounder Lesley Sekotswe 8-0 from Botswana defends his African Boxing Union International super flyweight title against Nkosana Sobethu 17-10-3 from the Eastern Cape.

Other bouts: Welterweight, 6 rounds: Mthobisi Buthelezi v Seroba Binda; Lightweight, 6 rounds: Vusumzi Tyatyeka v Joseph Modise; Bantamweight, 6 rounds: Cletus Mbhele v Johannes Nthontho, Flyweight, 6 rounds: Anele Makwelo v Maluleki Jola; Bantamweight, 6 rounds: Godlife Mabitsela v Siyanda Mfundisi; Junior middleweight, 4 rounds: Sandra Almeida v Essiane Clotilde.

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Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves Promotions has announced some of the fights scheduled to take place at Emperors Palace, Kempton Park on June 13. In a potential explosive encounter between two unbeaten fighters Thomas Oosthuizen meets Jared Lovett at light heavyweight and in the junior welterweight division Philip Ndou faces Kaizer Mabuza. In another intriguing match-up at junior middleweight Jan Bergman meets Bongani Mwelase.