Five months after Siyakholwa Kuse reclaimed the South African minimumweight title following a sound beating of Bangile Nyangani in KuGompo City, award-winning manager Mlandeli Tengimfene predicted that the boxer would go all the way and become a World Boxing Council (WBC) champion one day.
And Tengimfene’s prediction came true on Saturday evening when Kuse made history by becoming the first boxer from KuGompo City to rule in the WBC. This was after Kuse overcame a game Filipino opponent Melvin Jerusalem via a unanimous decision at the Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni.
“I got very emotional when Kuse defeated Jerusalem. I predicted it in December 2023 that Kuse would become a WBC champion one day. That was after he won the ABU title in Sada. I’m very happy now that he has finally won the WBC title,” Tengimfene said.
Tengimfene played a massive role and sacrificed a lot in an effort to make sure that Kuse got to the top. Under Tengimfene’s guidance, Kuse reclaimed the SA minimumweight title in July 2023, won the ABU and the WBC Silver belts. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
