Following his win over Japanese boxer Kosei Tanaka to have the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) junior-bantamweight belt wrapped around his waist in Tokyo, Japan, last October, Phumelela “The Truth” Cafu has enjoyed the celebrations and his celebrity status.
Now Cafu’s next move is currently being plotted by his trainer and manager Colin ‘Nomakanjani’ Nathan, who has revealed that they are busy talking to his Japanese partner Teiken Promotions for the Duncan Village-born champion’s first title defence.
“I leave that up to Paps (Colin Nathan). I’d love to defend my title against Gonzalez. I’d fight him anywhere. He is another legend and it’s my time now. I’m starting my own legacy,” Cafu remarked.
Nathan said: “We currently have two options. There have been rumours that we will face Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez, the WBO’s mandatory challenger. I can say that we are at an advanced stage of negotiations, but it’s not 100 percent done.
“Phumelela wants that fight and so do I, but it will come down to several factors. If that does not happen, then after chatting with Mr Honda last week, the next option would be to do Phumelela’s first defence right here in South Africa with Boxing 5 Promotions, in association with Teiken Promotions. In the event we do a ‘homecoming’ fight here in South Africa, it would not be against Gonzalez. I did explore the possibility of a South African opponent, but none of them qualify because they are not rated in the top 15 WBO ratings.”
If it happens that Cafu ultimately faces Gonzalez, there’s a likelihood that the fight will be held in Nicaragua.
“Obviously, Colin is my partner for a reason. I never get involved with the planning and movement of our fighters, that’s Colin’s job and I always support him,” Boxing 5 chief executive officer Larry Wainstein said.
“Cafu, after his tremendous showing in Japan when winning the title, has proved himself and won the hearts of many South Africans with that performance. So, if it’s Gonzalez, then great. If not, then we will work to get a defence here in South Africa.”