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Deon Potgieter BOXING
On May 24 Baby Jake Matlala will attempt to become the first South African boxer to win four world titles, and that in two weight divisions. He will be challenging the tough and tenacious Peter Culshaw for the World Boxing Union (WBU) flyweight world title. Pushing him on, however, is not this historical landmark, but rather the fight that is to follow it.
He is consumed with a fire of determination to right the wrong he and many others believe was inflicted on him when Hawk Makepula was announced the winner of their tumultuous clash in February this year. The highly anticipated rematch is scheduled to take place in August, if both fighters win their respective world title fights at Carnival City this month. Makepula defends his WBU junior flyweight world title against Marcos Obregon on the same bill.
“Don’t get me wrong,” says Matlala, “it’s very important for me to make history and it’s my ultimate goal to win four world titles in two different weight divisions, but I’ve got a score to settle. I watched the video of my fight with Hawk and although you could possibly give him the first three rounds, after that the fight was all mine. This time we will have International judges and you’ll see, the result will be different.”
An added motivation for Matlala to win his fourth world title is the promise from promoter Rodney Berman to pay him a “staggering” amount for his rematch with Makepula. Matlala received R1-million for the first fight.
“Although I’m eager to climb into the ring with Hawk again, I am focused on my fight with Culshaw. I sparred four rounds with him in ’96 and anticipate that he has improved. I know he’s a dangerous puncher and a good prospect.”
Culshaw, who goes by the nickname “Choirboy”, has nine knockouts in 17 wins with one loss and one draw. He knocked Daniel Ward out to win the Commonwealth flyweight crown in 1996 and viciously blew away Mzuki Marali in seven rounds to win the WBU world title in 1998. He beat a third South African, Zolile Mbityi, on points in March last year.
Despite his misleading nickname, Culshaw is an extremely aggressive fighter who has the ability to knock out opponents with either hand. At 26 he has 12 years on Matlala, but as seen in the veteran’s invigorating performance against Makepula, the years have only served to strengthen him.
“I’ve matured as a fighter over the years and have learned how to prepare myself effectively to be at my best when I enter the ring,” says Matlala. The irrepressible people’s champion was a late bloomer. He only won his first world title at the age of 31, after suffering nine defeats in the professional ring. That was on May 15 1993 when he stopped Pat Clinton to win the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) flyweight world title in Scotland. He defended the title three times before losing it to Alberto Jiminez in 1995.
Matlala won the WBO junior flyweight world title the same year by stopping Paul Weir, also in Scotland. He made two successful defences and then relinquished his more respected world title to challenge Michael Carbajal for the International Boxing Association (IBA) junior flyweight world title. At the time Carbajal was universally recognised as the best fighter in the division.
‘It wasn’t about the titles,” says Matlala, “I wanted to prove who was the best in the world.” Matlala did just that by giving one of the most outstanding performances of his career by beating the revered American fighter to a standstill, the referee stepping in and stopping the fight at one minute 24 seconds of the ninth round. After four more victories as IBA champion, Matlala relinquished the title after being promised a rematch with Carbajal, who in the interim had captured the WBO junior flyweight world title. Carbajal gave up his title rather than face Matlala again, citing that he had trouble making the weight.
This set the stage for the first super- fight of the new century; Baby Jake Matlala vs Hawk Makepula; for the WBO junior flyweight world title. Makepula was awarded a very controversial points decision over one of the most popular fighters in South African boxing history. “I want Hawk to move up and to challenge me for the WBU flyweight world title,” says Matlala. “If he wants to be great then he must be able to move between the divisions like I have done.”
Matlala said this will be his last year as a fighter. “After the Hawk fight, I will probably have one or two more bouts and then hang up my gloves. I won’t be renewing my licence next year.”
Matlala has been approached to give lectures and coaching clinics for young boxers and is seeking a sponsor to enable him to do so. “I want to teach them that they have lives outside of boxing and how to be financially responsible. Also how to market themselves. Most fighters don’t know how to deal with the media. It’s crucial to project a strong image and to promote yourself.”
There is certainly no South African fighter who has achieved this with greater distinction than Matlala. If all goes well on May 24 it will see the crowning of a true sports legend.
n Although Mike Bernardo is not very well known in South Africa, come Friday night he may be our second reigning heavyweight champion of the world; with WBU champion Corrie Sanders. Bernardo, who enjoys fame and recognition in Japan and Thailand, will be contesting the World Boxing Federation (WBF) heavyweight world title against Wayne Llewellyn in Hungary. Bernardo’s fame in the East stems from being a former world kick- boxing champion. If successful he will make history by being the first fighter to win a world title in two different boxing disciplines.
Bernardo has had 10 fights as an orthodox boxer, scoring eight knockouts in nine wins with a loss (to current national heavyweight champion Anton Nel).
“Mike is psyched and very keen on winning the world title,” says Bernardo’s promoter, Thinus Strydom. “I guided Gerrie Coetzee and Fransie Botha to world titles and feel confident that Bernardo will return with the belt.”
Llewellyn is rated in the top 10 in the UK and is known as an aggressive fighter. He has 18 knockouts to his credit.
“I’ve watched tapes of Llewellyn’s fights,” said Bernardo, who left for Eastern Europe on Monday. “I’m not too concerned about his punching power. I know I can beat him.”
Bernardo earned his world title shot by fighting in an elimination tournament in the United States last year. In his most recent fight he stopped Scott Conner in two rounds.
“The strange thing about all this,” says boxing authority Bert Blewett, “is that if Bernardo wins, he will return as a heavyweight champion of the world, yet he will still have to prove himself to local audiences. I think that’s a first.”
Ironically, most of the current WBF world champions hail from Thailand, thus although Bernardo craves recognition in his own country, his possible championship reign may best be served abroad.
The bout will be televised in Europe, but a broadcast deal could not be reached with local broadcasters.