After being inactive for almost a year, reigning International Boxing Organisation (IBO) junior-flyweight champion Mpumelelo Tshabalala will finally be back in action next month.
Katlehong-based Tshabalala is scheduled to defend his crown against Filipino boxer ArAr Andales whose birth name is Rhenrob Sampayan Andales.
Tshabalala has not fought since winning the title after he beat Argentine boxer Junior Leandro Zarate via a split decision in Midrand last September.
Rated ninth by the World Boxing Council (WBC) and sixth in the International Boxing Federation (IBF) ratings, the former South African junior-flyweight titlist has 11 wins with five knockouts and a loss.
Tshabalala’s only loss was against former SA junior-flyweight champion Siphamandla Baleni in East London in October 2021. Since that loss, Tshabalala went on to record six straight wins.
On the other hand, Andales, who’s rated 13th by the IBF, defeated Reymark Alicaba five months ago. Andales has won 17 fights with seven stoppages, two defeats and three draws.
