One of Mpumelelo Tshabalala’s trainers, Thami Malinga, doesn’t mind where his South African junior-flyweight title challenge against reigning champion Siseko Teyisi is held as long as it’s going to give the boxer an opportunity to reclaim the crown he vacated in September 2024.
Tshabalala relinquished the title after he defeated Argentine opponent Junior Leandro Zarate via a split decision to become the new International Boxing Organisation (IBO) junior-flyweight champion. Unfortunately, he never got an opportunity to defend the IBO title.
BSA confirmed on Wednesday that it had approved Tshabalala’s challenge, which was formally submitted last month. Tshabalala is rated number one in the South African junior-flyweight division.
“A formal challenge was submitted on 28 May 2026 by the highly rated contender, former IBO champion, Mpumelelo Tshabalala, against the reigning South African junior-flyweight champion Siseko Teyise,” a BSA statement said.
And Malinga remarked: “We don’t care where the fight is gonna be held. Even if it’s held in the Eastern Cape, we have no problem with that because we are gonna take that belt away from the champion.”
Tshabalala has not fought since he was stopped in the third round by Mexican boxer Sergio Alphonso Mendoza Cordova in an International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior-flyweight elimination bout in Sonora, Hermosillo, Mexico last November.
Meanwhile, Teyisi last defended the SA title when he registered a 12th round stoppage win over Athenkosi Thongwana at the Orient Theatre, KuGompo City, in December. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
