Other Sport
Muller-Spencer bout called off
2012-06-03 19:06
Johannesbburg - It was meant to be the novelty attraction on the programme, but there will be no clash between former Springbok and All Black rugby players on Showpony's Box-and-Dine bill in Sandton on Monday night.
It was announced at Sunday afternoon's weigh-in for the tournament that ex-Springbok Pieter Muller had suffered a leg injury and had withdrawn from his anticipated exchange of blows with Carlos Spencer.
Reports earlier this year linked Spencer to a bout with former Bok captain Corné Krige but those plans came to nought.
But with the former New Zealand flyhalf still eager to exhibit his wares in the ring, Spencer has been pitted against local amateur boxer Dom Labom in a three-round exhibition.
In other respects, Sunday's weigh-in - at Smith's Boxing Gymnasium in Fourways - for the bill headed by an eliminator for the South African welterweight title between Mthobisi Buthelezi and Boitshepo Mandawe, proved relatively routine and uneventful.
Buthelezi has a record of 11 wins and one defeat, while Mandawe's record is only marginally inferior with nine wins and two defeats - suggesting that little separates the two title contenders in what could prove a closely-contested battle.
Also on the programme in abbreviated eight-round bouts are IBO champions Tshifhiwa Munyai (super bantamweight) and Simpiwe Vetyeka (bantamweight) against Tumelo Motseki and Klaas Mboyane respectively.
Munyai and Vetyeka are champing at the bit for more action to enhance their blossoming careers and the contests at hand should prove ideal warm-ups for planned fights against overseas opponents that lie ahead.