Johannesburg - Thulani Mbenge has promised to bring Shaun Ness’ reign as South African welterweight champion to an end when the two meet at Emperors Palace on April 23.
At stake will be Ness’ championship belt.
The 25-year-old Eastern Cape challenger, who holds the African Boxing Union title, has won all his nine fights by knockouts.
In Ness, Mbenge will meet a 34-year-old who has had 10 wins, one loss and two draws in 13 bouts.
“I’m going to dethrone Ness in style and make him my 10th knockout victim. He has been in the game for too long and should give way for me now,” said Mbenge.
But Ness is unfazed by his challenger’s threats.
“I prefer to do the talking in the ring. He will regret that he challenged me,” said Ness.
Youth belt
Meanwhile, Azinga “Golden Boy” Fuzile says plans are in the pipeline for him to defend his South African featherweight title against number four contender Sydney Maluleka.
Fuzile caused an upset when he dethroned Macbute Sinyabi in a unanimous points decision at the Orient Theatre in East London in September. In December, he added the interim World Boxing Council world youth belt to his collection.
“Top local contenders Tello Lethebe, Sinyabi and Oscar Chauke are not keen to fight me. So it looks like Sydney [Maluleka] is the only boxer who is keen to challenge me,” said Fuzile.