Siyakholwa Kuse’s fight against reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) strawweight champion Melvin Jerusalem is going to form part of a tournament, which will pay tribute to the 1975 Thrilla in Manila in the Philippines.
The Thrilla in Manila was headlined by a heavyweight bout between the late Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in Quezon City in October 1975. Ali won by a technical knockout after Frazier’s corner stopped the fight before the beginning of the 15th round.
And Kuse’s clash against Jerusalem is scheduled to be promoted by former world champion Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions on a yet to be confirmed date in October.
“This is a tremendous honour,” Golden Gloves managing director Rodney Berman said referring to Kuse’s fight against Jerusalem.
Kuse, who defeated Filipino opponent Samuel Salva in May, is on a six-fight winning streak. His last loss was in a South African minimumweight title contest against Mthatha-born Bangile Nyangani in East London just over four years ago.
Mdantsane-born Kuse avenged that defeat when he comprehensively beat Nyangani to reclaim the SA minimumweight title at the East London International Convention Centre (ICC) in July 2023. Kuse has, in his last six fights, won three titles – SA, African Boxing Union (ABU) and WBC Silver minimumweight.
Meanwhile, South African boxing followers will be able to watch Kuse against Jerusalem after Berman secured broadcast rights for SuperSport. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
