Siyakholwa Kuse still has the backing of his team and promoter despite falling short of claiming the World Boxing Council (WBC) strawweight title after he lost on points to Filipino boxer Melvin Jerusalem in Manila, Philippines, on Wednesday evening, South African time.
According to Kuse’s trainer Manny Fernandes, Golden Gloves managing director Rodney Berman, who was at ringside when the Mdantsane-born boxer attempted to become the first boxer from the Eastern Cape to win a WBC title, is going to give the lad another opportunity early next year.
“As you know, I only had four months to work with him. There’s a lot of improvement to come. I thought we did enough to win. If we fought in South Africa, we would have won,” Fernandes said.
Fernandes added: “We have learnt a lot from the fight. Rodney has promised us something big in March. After such a performance, the sky is the limit for this kid.”
Following the loss, Kuse, a former South African and African Boxing Union (ABU) minimumweight champion, dropped to nine wins with four knockouts, three defeats and a draw.
On the other hand, Jerusalem, an erstwhile World Boxing Organisation (WBO) minimumweight titlist, improved his record to 25 victories, 12 stoppages and three losses. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
Owh man ,what a fight .He fought a good fight .You could see he really needed it but came short . He really gave it his all .To fight like that at the champion’s back yard and stood his ground he surely earned my respect .
Better luck next time champ .