Deon Potgieter Boxing
If he wins on Saturday night, Dingaan “The Rose of Soweto” Thobela will become the first South African to gain world titles for three different world bodies.
Thobela will take to the ring at the Nasrec complex against the South American champion, Adrian Daneff, for the vacant International Boxing Organisation Welterweight title.
“I won’t say what round, but I will stop him. I have no doubt – I will stop him,” says the former two-time world champion, who has held the World Boxing Organisation and World Boxing Association titles.
Thobela, as always, is taking this fight very seriously. He should be. A victory will put him back at the top and in line to fight the likes of Ike Quartey and Oscar de la Hoya.
Branco Milenkovic, who is promoting the double- header world title bill on Saturday night, says: “Dingaan is the most gifted boxer ever produced in South Africa. I believe had they fought, he would’ve even beaten Brian Mitchell.”
It may not be all roses for “The Rose” come fight night. Daneff, who has a record of 38 fights with 24 wins and 16 knockouts, looks to be in superb shape and if he’s like most Argentinean boxers, he’ll be a tough one to put down.
“I like it when they come to fight. It makes me stronger when I know I’m in with a good man,” says Thobela, who boasts a record of 45 fights with 37 wins, 24 of those coming by knockout.
“Looking at both of their records,” says Milenkovic, “I’m sure this fight won’t go the distance. I can’t say who’ll win, but it will end with a stoppage.”
Terry Pettifer, a publicist for Golden Gloves, says: “Thobela’s always been his own worst enemy. If he’s fit and in form and doesn’t have any weight troubles then he’ll win this fight by a stoppage. If, as rumoured, he does have weight problems, he’ll be in trouble. The Argentinean is a tough customer.”
But Pettifer adds: “If Thobela loses he’ll be remembered as South Africa’s most illustrious underachiever. Although he’s already won two world titles, he’s always had promise to do a lot more. He’s got a needle thread jab and probably the best uppercut in the business.
Winning the fight is essential to “The Rose’s” future, says Pettifer: “In all honesty, Thobela must win this fight. If he loses, it would be highly unlikely for him to ever get another shot at world honours.”
The other world title fight on Milenkovic’s bill is between the heavy-hitting South African national champion, Stephen Msimanga, and Border champion Mawanda Sineko.
This will be the first time in history that two South Africans fight for a vacant world title – in this case for the International Boxing Organisation mini-flyweight world title.
Msimanga, who boasts an impressive eight knockouts in nine wins will be looking to stamp down his authority early on against Sineko, who has three knockouts in 10 wins.
“Msimanga has what it takes to win,” says current Internaitonal Boxing Association junior flyweight world champion Baby Jake Matlala. “I’ve been sparring with him and he’s very strong.”