DEON POTGIETER, Johannesburg | day 11.00m.
MZUKISI Sikali, South Africa’s World Boxing Union Junior Bantamweight world champion makes the second defence of his title in Italy on Saturday night. The gutsy South African Southpaw will be facing Luigi Castiglione, the man he dethroned for the title last year.
Although Sikali who’s record now stands on 23 wins, 3 losses and 1 draw, knocked Castiglione out in the eighth round of their previous encounter, the Italian claims that he had weight problems and was not prepared or conditioned for that fight. The Italian public therefore demanded a return bout and this time, their man will be ready.
“Sikali is one of the most underrated champions in the country at the moment,” says fight analyst Terry Pettifer. “He has exceptional talent and will probably stop Castiglione again.”
Pettifer warned however “He (Sikali) mustn’t take Castiglione lightly. The Italian’s a dangerous fighter and could cause an upset.”
“If Sikali wins convincingly he could be on the road to bigger things,” said Mike Segal, Sikali’s promoter. “Barry Hearn, the British promoter has promised me that if Sikali is impressive, he could fight on Naseem Hamed’s under-card in the United States in October.”