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Johannesburg - Tsiko “Cruel Junior” Mulovhedzi’s chance to get back into the ring could soon be here.
Negotiations are in the pipeline to get him to defend his International Boxing Federation (IBF) intercontinental welterweight title against Hungarian Laszlo Toth in Limpopo on October 27.
The fight will be staged by Phathutshedzo Dongola of Limpopo Champs Boxing Promotions.
The promoter said more details of the bout would be disclosed soon.
Only bout
“We are currently working on the finer details of the bout and nothing has been finalised yet. It will be nice to get Tsiko back into the ring after him being out of action for long,” said Dongola.
Cruel Junior, who is based in Vhembe in Limpopo, has not fought for six months. His last fight was in April, when he beat Italian Dario Socci by a unanimous points decision at Petrus Molemela Indoor Sports Centre in Bloemfontein to win the then vacant IBF intercontinental belt. That has been Mulovhedzi’s only bout this year.
Before April, he last threw punches competitively in 2016. In that fight, Mulovhedzi beat Jesus Gurrola on points in defence of his International Boxing Organisation (IBO) diadem.
But Cruel Junior was stripped of his IBO belt two months ago for failing to put it on the line, as per the rules of the sanctioning body. They stipulate that a title-holder may not go nine months without defending his crown.
Mulovhedzi, who is also promoted by Ayanda Matiti of Xaba Promotions, said he would be pleased to get back into action.
“It’s been a long time since I last fought and am looking forward to my next one. I hope the promoters finalise everything so the bout goes ahead,” said Mulovhedzi.
Single draw
He said that waiting for so long to get into the ring has worried him.
“Having fought once is not good enough. I want to be active so I won’t lose my title again without defending it".
He has had 12 wins and seven defeats, and has drawn three times in 22 fights.
Toth’s record reads 24 victories, three losses and a single draw in 28 bouts.
