Lerato ‘Lights Out’ Dlamini’s dreams of fighting for an International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight title have received a boost after the IBF ordered an elimination bout between him and Ukrainian boxer Arnold Khegai.
Initially, Dlamini had signed to face off against former world champion Tomoki ‘The Little Mexican’ Kameda in Japan on Sunday, 31 March. However, things have changed as Dlamini has agreed to clash with the 31-year-old Khegai, who is based in Los Angeles, United States of America.
Dlamini registered a split decision victory over Kameda from Osaka in a 12 rounds bout at the Ota-City General Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan, in October last year.
“I had an exit clause in the contract we signed with Kameda Promotions for the Tomoki Kameda fight. The fight was subject to the IBF sanctioning and approving it as an eliminator. I got Kameda Promotions to sign off on it. I was very lucky to have that clause. Lerato has agreed to fight for the eliminator. We will now start negotiations with Top Rank,” Dlamini’s trainer and manager Colin ‘Nomakanjani’ Nathan said.
The 29-year-old Dlamini from Welkom in the Free State has a record of 20 victories (11 knockouts) and two losses while Khegai has won 21 fights with 13 of those wins coming from stoppages, a loss and a draw.
