Bongani ‘Wonderboy’ Mahlangu will get an opportunity to reclaim the South African junior-featherweight title he controversially lost as he fights against Siyabulela Hem next month.
The 45-year-old Mahlangu lost the title to Hem in Midrand almost two months ago. However, Mahlangu’s camp was unhappy with the outcome of the bout and then applied for the review of the fight.
Boxing South Africa (BSA) obliged and appointed three independent judges from different provinces. The judges reviewed the fight and Mahlangu was, according to them, the winner of the bout.
“We are still negotiating and no date has been set yet. We remain busy at the gym, preparing for this fight,” the former champion’s trainer and younger brother Sandile Mahlangu said.
Ink Sport can reveal that the rematch between Hem and Mahlangu is set for December in East London even though the date is still to be decided.
East London is where Mahlangu captured the SA title following a sixth round stoppage of former champion Ayabonga Sonjica at the Orient Theatre in July 2022.
Initially, Hem was set to defend the title against Vusumuzi Ngcamu on Sunday, 24 November. However, everything changed after the Hem’s fight against Mahlangu was reviewed. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
