It’s becoming clear that KwaZulu-Natal boxers are determined to dethrone reigning South African middleweight titlist John ‘Section 29’ Bopape as another pugilist from the province has challenged the Alexandra-based champion.
Bopape will be making the third defence of his national crown when he meets Phikelelani Khumalo at the Greyville Convention Centre, Durban, on Friday, 28 February.
Already, Bopape has defeated two KZN boxers, who tried to unseat him, after he dethroned Nkululeko Mhlongo from Eshowe. Bopape successfully defended his title against Ayanda Mthembu in March 2023 and Snamiso Ntuli in July 2022.
“Khumalo has challenged me and I have accepted his challenge. I’ve got no problem in going to Durban and fight him. I enjoy fighting in Durban, that’s why I’m happy to go there again and do well again,” Bopape remarked.
“I took the belt from Mhlongo. I then defended it against Ntuli and Mthembu, who are both from KZN. Now I’m going to fight against yet another boxer from KZN.”
Meanwhile, Khumalo, a former Lamontville Golden Arrows and Maritzburg United Diski Challenge player, is rated third in the national middleweight ratings. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
