Seeing that it might take longer before he clashes against South African junior-featherweight title clash against reigning champion Siyabulela Hem if the bout takes place at all, Kaya Mlata has decided to get a keep busy fight.
The unbeaten KwaBhaca-born Mlata, who is now based in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, is the number one contender as per the BSA ratings. And the boxing regulator confirmed the approval of his challenge two months ago.
“BSA commends the active pursuit of the South African championship by both champions and challengers. The growing interest from our pugilists is exactly what Boxing South Africa wants to see. A thriving national championship structure is the bedrock of professional boxing development. We applaud Mlata for stepping up,” BSA director of operations Mandla Ntlanganiso said at the time.
However, things have changed since Hem’s 10th round loss to Cape Town-based Ardy Katompa from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in an international featherweight bout at the Orient Theatre, KuGompo City, in April.
And since Hem is suspended following the stoppage loss to Katompa, Mlata has now chosen to face Tanzanian Luqman Ngambongali at the Cabo Beach, V and A Waterfront, Cape Town, on Saturday, 15 August.
“It looks like no one wants to give us a chance to fight for the SA title . We are now going to face a Tanzanian boxer. We will see about the SA title later,” Mlata remarked.
Mlata, who has won all his 10 fights with five of those wins coming from knockouts, stopped former SA junior-featherweight champion Bongani Mahlangu in the sixth round in April.
Meanwhile, Ngambongali will be making his first visit to South Africa since losing in an International Boxing Federation (IBF) Africa junior-bantamweight title fight to Yanga Sigqibo at the Orient Theatre in July 2002. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
