By Monwabisi Jimlongo
That his fight against champion Prince Dlomo is finally happening after two cancellations sounds like good music in Marcus ‘King Labamba’ Lebogo’s ears as he’s finalising his preparations for the South African junior-welterweight title contest, which is scheduled for the Pietermaritzburg City Hall on Friday, 28 July.
Lebogo, who’s trained by Damien Durandt, was unsuccessful in his first attempt to win the title as he lost to former champion Xolani ‘Tiger’ Mcotheli in October 2019. Now he’s determined to win it this time around.
“Everything is going well in as far as the preparations are concerned. I couldn’t have asked for anything more. If things go according to plan then I’m going to win this fight. It’s my time now,” Lebogo said.
Initially, Lebogo and Dlomo were scheduled to clash in Durban last December, but the J4Joy Boxing Promotions tournament was cancelled at the eleventh hour. They were again due to face off in February this year in a Xaba Promotions event in Durban and unfortunately that tournament was also cancelled.
“This fight should have happened last year. It was cancelled twice, in December and February. It’s good that it is finally happening,” Lebogo remarked.
With a record of 13 victories (three stoppages), four defeats and a draw, Lebogo faces Dlomo, who will be out to make a fourth defence of the title he won after he dethroned Mcotheli in March 2021.
Meanwhile, Njabulo Buthelezi is set to defend his KwaZulu-Natal flyweight title against Nkosingiphile Sibisi in the main supporting bout.
Other bouts:
Six rounders:
Featherweight:
Sithembiso Maduna v Itumeleng Tsholo
Bantamweight:
Sabelo Cebekhulu v Layton Gloss
Four rounders:
Bantamweight:
Ntethelelo Magcaba v Nkosinathi Kunene
Female bantamweight:
Nomusa Ngema v Adidya Mimu
Featherweight:
Lungelo Khumalo v Carl van Blerk
