As his gym is teeming with talented boxers, Brian Mitchell, who manages a number of top fighters including Ricardo Malajika and Siyakholwa Kuse, has very high hopes going to the new year.
Mitchell managed Malajika to a very successful 2025 as the boxer added the International Boxing Organisation (IBO) flyweight title to his junior-bantamweight crown after he stopped Jackson Chauke in the second round at his happy hunting ground, Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, in March.
“We had a really good year. Ricardo Malajika won the IBO flyweight world title and he also defended his IBO junior-bantamweight world title twice this year. In the process, he stretched his winning streak to nine fights,” Mitchell said.
“Ricardo has been sanctioned to fight for the interim WBC world title next year. Pity, the guy from Japan whom he was going to meet is not interested in fighting for the interim world title. The number one contender has medical issues. Be that as it may, Ricardo will become an interim WBC world champion next year even though we are still looking for an opponent.”
Mitchell, a former World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior-lightweight champion, is optimistic that the Brian Mitchell Boxing Academy in Edenvale will have more than one WBC title holder next year.
“I’m confident that we are going to have two WBC world champions next year. Ricardo will win the title. Siya Kuse is fighting against Joey Canoy in a final eliminator in March and will challenge WBC world champion Melvin Jerusalem after that,” Mitchell remarked.
“Kuse did very well against Jerusalem in October and I still believe that he did enough to win the fight. Now we want to bring Jerusalem here in South Africa.”
Zimbabwean Beaven Sibanda and Charlton Malajika are some of the other highly rated boxers from Mitchell’s stable. Sibanda was due to have defended his IBF International minimumweight title against Joey Canoy in October, but the fight was shelved after he sustained an Achilles injury on his left foot.
“Beaven has started training and will be back in the new year. He is a big talent with a big heart,” the 64-year-old Mitchell said.
On the other hand, Charlton picked up an injury at training something which has forced the cancellation of his WBC International bantamweight title fight against David Mwale in Zambia on Saturday, 27 December.
“Charlton got injured while preparing for a fight, which was going to be held in Zambia. Charlton is going to become an IBO world champion next year,” Mitchell quipped.
Trained by Manny Fernandes, who is yet to lose or draw, is also one of the talents managed by Mitchell. The Zimbabwean won the WBC Africa flyweight title after he outpointed former SA champion Chauke in Pretoria last month.
“Phiri is rated 13th by the WBC and things are looking good for him. He’s definitely gonna make waves in the flyweight division next year. I have a deal for him to fight under Brad Norman’s Warrior Ascent Promotions,” Mitchell said.
Recently, the Brian Mitchell Boxing Academy unleashed a lanky 19-year-old Ethan Peters, who registered a first round stoppage win over Sibabalwe Mnani on debut. Peters ditched his vest and turned profeasional after 11 wins with nine knockouts.
Meanwhile, Mitchell’s gym has just been joined by unbeaten Zimbabwean-born female boxer Monica Mkandla, who has won all her eight fights. Mkandla joined the Brian Mitchell Boxing Academy after she spent almost three years at Colleen McAusland’s McAusland Gym.
“She’s a brilliant fighter. She has won all her eight fights and is going to be promoted by Golden Gloves with Vusi Mtolo as her trainer,” Mitchell revealed.
Mitchell concluded: “We also have Seth van Aswegen, who has one win and a loss. He’s a great talent.” – Monwabisi Jimlongo
