By Monwabisi Jimlongo
Outright ownership of the South African flyweight belt is going to be a motivating factor when Jackson ‘M3’ Chauke defends his title against Thembelani Nxoshe at the Orient Theatre in East London late next month.
Already, Chauke has successfully defended his crown four times and all his title defences were against Eastern Cape boxers. He defeated Sihle Jelwana, Luyanda Ntwanambe amd Sinethemba Kotana while he drew with Phumelela Cafu.
Now Chauke gets an opportunity to take permanent ownership of the belt as he clashes with Nxoshe, who once held the same title.
“I’m coming to the Eastern Cape on the 30th of September. Preparations for this fight have been going very well,” the 38-year-old Chauke said.
Chauke from Tembisa in Ekurhuleni has revealed that he knows what to expect from Mdantsane’s Nxoshe.
“I know Nxoshe very well. We should have fought years back when he was the champion. However, that fight never took place. Finally, it’s happening. I’m happy that he’s also getting an opportunity to fight for the SA title again. I’m gonna make sure that I remain a champion after this fight,” Chauke remarked.
Rated fourth in the current ratings, Nxoshe is the current Eastern Cape flyweight champion following his eighth round stoppage win over Xolisile Voyi in March this year.
Trained by Amanda Magatya, Dowie Mzini and former SA junior-welterweight champion Mzolisi Yoyo in Mdantsane, Nxoshe held the SA flyweight title after he defeated Doctor Ntsele in November 2014.