Thulani ‘Evolution’ Mbenge’s return to the ring after more than a year is in big doubt because of the continuing impasse between the National Professional Boxing Promoters Association (NPBPA) and Minister of Sport Zizi Kodwa.
Mbenge, a two-time South African welterweight champion, is scheduled to face off against Argentine boxer Leandro Ariel Fonseca in a 10 rounds international bout at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban on Saturday, 2 March.
However, with tournaments being postponed left, right and centre, owing to the court case brought against Kodwa by the NPBPA, the 32-year-old Mbenge’s fight might not happen next month. The NPBPA took Kodwa to court citing lack of consultation after he announced the new board of Boxing South Africa (BSA).
Mbenge is yet to fight since he lost to Senegal-born Frenchman Souleymane Cissoko in a World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver welterweight title fight in Nantes, France, in December 2022.
With 18 wins (nine stoppages), a loss and one draw, the 29-year-old Fonseca from Buenos Aires was involved in 10 fights in the last two years, registering nine wins and a defeat. He fought four times last year and had six fights in 2022.
Meanwhile, former WBC cruiserweight title contender Thabiso Mchunu is billed to clash against Argentine boxer Yamil Alberto Peralta Jara if the Mvelo Boxing Promotions tournament goes ahead.
The 35-year-old Mchunu, who has not fought since he lost to former world cruiserweight titlist Ilunga Makabu Junior just over two years ago, is scheduled to clash with Peralta in a WBC Silver cruiserweight title contest.
