Siyakholwa Kuse’s first defence of his South African minimumweight title hinges on mandatory challenger Iviwe Mgema challenging him, otherwise the Mdantsane boxer will continue with his international campaign.
This was revealed by Kuse’s manager Mlandeli Tengimfene as they are planning to feature the 23-year-old champion in a tournament they are planning for April this year.
“Kuse is due for a mandatory defence. We will continue with our own plans if no one challenges us. We are going to give him an international fight in April. We are definitely not going to vacate the South African title. Being active is going to help improve our ratings,” Tengimfene said.
Iviwe Mgema is rated number one in the SA minimumweight division and has so far not shown any interest in challenging Kuse. Mgema is fight starved as he last fought when he defeated Phumlani Maloni in October 2022.
“Our plan is to honour our mandatory obligations. If Mgema comes, we will fight him. If he’s not available, then we will continue with international fights,” Tengimfene remarked.
Meanwhile, last month’s eighth round stoppage win over Tanzanian boxer Khalid Kalama Ally at the Whittlesea Multipurpose Hall in Sada has resulted in Kuse moving up in the World Boxing Council (WBC) ratings.
The reignining SA and African Boxing Union (ABU) minimumweight champion from Mdantsane is now rated seventh in the latest WBC ratings after he jumped six places.
The last six months of 2023 were very good for Kuse as he reclaimed his SA title after he outpointed Bangile Nyangani in a rematch, which was held at the East London International Convention Centre (ICC) in July last year.
Five months later, Kuse, who is trained by former SA flyweight titlist Makazole Tete, had the ABU belt strapped around his waist following a win over Khalama. That win took his record to six wins (three knockouts), two defeats and a draw.