For Golden Gloves managing director Rodney Berman a win for either Ricardo Malajika or Yanga Sigqibo is a victory for the South African fight community as the International Boxing Organisation (IBO) junior-bantamweight title will remain in the country after next Friday’s clash between the two boxers.
Malajika will be defending his IBO crown once again when he squares up against Duncan Village-born Sigqibo in a 12 rounds bout at the Emperor’s Palace in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni.
“This fight is complimentary of South African boxing. Sigqibo is number 14 in the WBC and Malajika is number eight. They are both very highly rated,” Berman said.
“When you have two A division fighters in the ring, there’s never a loser. I’m expecting an outstanding fight from two outstanding fighters. I’m very confident that both fighters, irrespective of the result, are gonna go forward probably in different ways.”
Malajika will be making the second defence of the IBO title he won after he defeated Argentine boxer Kevin Luis Munoz in September last year. He outpointed Briton Marcel Braithwaite in his first title defence four months ago.
“Obviously, I think very highly of Malajika. I don’t think people realise how good he is. Should he win, my next step is to go all the way for a WBC title. Definitely, he will go high up in the WBC ratings,” Berman remarked. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
