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World Boxing Association (WBA) international bantamweight champion Mzuvukile “Old Bones” Magwaca has joined a growing band of South African boxers who are plying their trade overseas.
The 25-year-old Western Cape-born boxer, who is based in Duncan Village in the Eastern Cape, signed a deal to fight under the US-based Greg Cohen Promotions (GCP). This means he will have some of his future bouts staged in the US.
All Winners Boxing Club boss Mlandeli “Mla” Tengimfene said his charge would probably have his first fight under his new backers in the US on November 11.
Old Bones follows in the footsteps of stablemates Lusanda “Schoolboy” Komanisi, who holds the International Boxing Organisation featherweight crown, and Zolani “Last Born” Tete, the erstwhile International Boxing Federation bantamweight champion.
Komanisi teamed up with the American promoters in July, while Tete has been slugging it out under Briton Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions in the UK since December.
Clifford Mass, GCP vice-president of business development, said: “We are proud to sign undefeated WBA international bantamweight champion Magwaca, our second fighter from All Winners Boxing Club in East London, South Africa.
According to Tengimfene, Magwaca, who joined their stable three weeks ago, is being trained by Loyiso Mtya and assisted by Mhikiza Myekeni and Zolile Tete, Zolani’s father.
“He will defend his crown in the US on the bill that will probably also see Komanisi put his crown on the line there,” said Tengimfene.
“We are happy to have Old Bones on board as he is one of the country’s top bantamweights. His career will gain a lot as he will be campaigning in the US,” said Tengimfene.
Ranked 13th by the WBA, Old Bones posted 17 wins and two draws in 19 professional bouts.
He beat Argentinian Raul Eliseo Medina by a technical knockout in the eighth round at Selborne Park in East London in November. He has not fought since then.
“I’m happy to be managed by Tengimfene and have some of my fights in the US, where my boxing profile will be raised,” said Magwaca.
Old Bones said his decision to leave the Western Cape, where he was guided by Zola Koti, was prompted by a lack of fights there.
He had been with Koti from the amateur ranks since 2006.
Attempts to get a comment from Koti were unsuccessful.
