THURSDAY, 11.00AM:
The next three weeks have been described by boxing promoter Rodney Berman as the “golden weeks of South African boxing”, with several big-name fights on the cards.
Baby Jake Matlala, former WBO junior flyweight champion, will fight Michael Carbajal in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 18. IBF bantamweight title holder Mbulelo Botile will defend against Tim Austin on July 19.
IBF featherweight champion Phillip Holiday will face a challenge from Shane Mosley the following week. All three fights are undercards of major American title challenges.
Berman said the SA boxers “have nothing to lose. But if they win, everyone in America will know them.”
SPORT BRIEFS
DONALD BACK FAST bowler Allan Donald, of South Africa, returned to the field for his English County side Warwickshire on Tuesday, after being out of action for a month due to a back injury. Donald took 3/36 in 12 overs in the NatWest Trophy against Norfolk.
FED CUP MARIAAN DE SWARDT withdrew from the SA Fed Cup tennis team on Wednesday, due to a shoulder injury. The Cup tournament will be played in Poertshach in Austria on July 12-13. Jessica Steck is expected to replace De Swardt.
SEPENG FOURTH HEZEKIEL SEPENG of South Africa finished fourth in 1:46,56 in the 800m sprint at the International Amateur Athletics Federation Grand Prix in Paris on Wednesday night in Paris.
MEANWHILE, Namibia’s former world 200m record holder Frankie Fredericks won his event at the Grand Prix, with a time of 20,38s.
SAFA HOSTS YOUTH CUP The under-14 International Premier Cup finals will begin in Stellenbosh on Friday. The event is sponsored by the South African Football Association, and will feature SSF Juventus and Mecca Classic, as well as South African teams.