Lwando Mgabi is looking at finally winning a South African title almost three years since he made his professional debut with a win over Onke Nelani in December 2021.
Mgabi faces Sihle Jelwana in a vacant SA junior-bantamweight title contest at the Sunningdale Sport Complex in Milnerton, Cape Town, on Friday evening.
This title became vacant after it was relinquished by former champion Phumelela Cafu, who’s challenging World Boxing Organisation (WBO) junior-bantamweight titlist Kosei Tanaka in Tokyo, Japan, next month.
“I feel good. I can’t wait to get into the ring. He’s gonna fall,” Duncan Village-born Mgabi, who is based in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, said.
Unbeaten in six fights, having stopped two of his opponents, Mgabi returns to the ring following his win over Lebogang Pilane in a World Boxing Federation (WBF) Africa junior-bantamweight title win in April this year.
On the other hand, Jelwana is challenging for an SA title for the second time. He was stopped in the first round by International Boxing Organisation (IBO) flyweight champion Jackson Chauke when they fought for the SA version of the title in July 2019.
Komani-born Jelwana, who is 30 years old, goes to the Mgabi fight on the back of wins in his last two fights against Saul Hlungwane and Bongani Nocele. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
