After starting the year with a bang, winning a world title, Tembisa-based boxer Jackson ‘M3’ Chauke is going to end it with a whimper as he has been fight starved.
Chauke thought winning the International Boxing Organisation (IBO) flyweight title would bring him more fights this year, but how wrong he was as he’s been struggling to find opponents.
The 39-year-old Chauke defeated Afghanistan-born Briton Quaise Khademi in London to win the then vacant IBO title in January this year.
And what makes things more difficult for the former South African flyweight champion is that he doesn’t have a promoter anymore.
“This is frustrating and it’s breaking my spirit. I won a world title and now fights are scarce,” Chauke remarked.
“I have not been to the gym since last week. Actually, I have stopped training and will return in January. What makes things worse is that I don’t have a promoter.”
Interestingly, while Chauke has been struggling to get fights, Khademi has fought three times already – winning twice and losing once – since their January meeting. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
