DEON POTGIETER, Johannesburg | Friday 4.30pm
NOT one to be intimidated by all the fanfare following Baby Jake Matlala’s attempt at becoming the first South African boxer to win four world titles, Peter Culshaw stands his ground firmly.
“I know I’m the world champion and I’m here to beat Jake.” said the WBU flyweight world champion at Friday afternoon’s weigh-in.
Matlala challenges Culshaw for his title next Wednesday night at Carnival city. “I know everybody here is behind Jake, but it’s my time.” said Culshaw.
“When we climb into the ring, it’s just him and me. I’m not worried about what’s going on outside the ring, that’s all just a blur.”
Culshaw hopes a victory over the Internationally respected Matlala will lead to bigger and better opportunities for him. He has a height and reach advantage over the South African challenger, but then again, everybody Matlala has ever fought has had the same advantage.
“I know he’ll try and keep me at bay with his jab,” says Matlala “but how long can he keep me off?”
Matlala exudes his usual confidence in predicting he will succeed in winning his historic fourth world title come fight night. “He won’t be able to handle my heat,” says Matlala.
“Winning this fight is my career goal … and then it’s Hawk.”