By Monwabisi Jimlongo
Getting closer to a world title fight will be the driving force behind Phumelela ‘The Truth’ Cafu’s mission to make sure that Genisis ‘Cobra’ Libranza from the Philippines continues to lose here in South Africa.
Cafu and Libranza are going to trade blows in a vacant IBF International junior-bantamweight title contest at the Orlando Community Hall, Soweto, on Sunday.
Libranza will be making his second visit to South Africa having been stopped in the fourth round by former world champion Moruti Mthalane in an International Boxing Organisation (IBO) flyweight clash at the Wembley Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, in April 2018.
“I’ve worked very hard preparing for this fight. Actually, I have been preparing for this fight for some time. The way I am now I feel like this fight is gonna end early,” Cafu, who leaves for Johannesburg on Thursday, said.
The 25-year-old Cafu, who is rated 13th by the World Boxing Association (WBA) and is ninth in the current IBF ratings, has revealed that he knows what to expect from Libranza.
“I have watched some of his videos. He likes switching stances from orthodox to southpaw and back to orthodox. But there’s nothing special about him. I want to make a statement to all junior-bantamweight boxers as I’m looking at earning a title shot later this year or early next year. Libranza is an experienced boxer and is going to be a good test for me,” Cafu remarked.
Meanwhile, South African junior-flyweight champion Mpumelelo Tshabalala is scheduled to clash against Jesse Espinas from the Philippines in the same tournament.
Tshabalala from Katlehong in Ekurhuleni and Espinas face off in a vacant World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Intercontinental junior-flyweight strap.
