Deon Potgieter boxing Mpush Makambi is in danger of being stripped of his International Boxing Organisation (IBO) middleweight world title. Makambi, who was to have made the fourth defence of his title this weekend in Holland against Raymonn Joval, pulled out of the bout this week. “Mpush wasn’t happy with the purse on offer and wanted three times more,” said promoter Mike Segal. “That’s tantamount to saying you don’t want the fight.”
This year has not been a good one for Makambi, who was voted South Africa’s boxer of the year for 1999. He’s yet to have a fight in 2000. He finished last year off on a high note, having made three impressive defences of his crown, all in Britain. He was due to face the highly rated and undefeated Howard Eastman twice this year, but the fight never materialised with Eastman citing injuries – although he was in good enough form to face two other opponents along the way.
Makambi’s management became so desperate to find their charge an opponent that they advertised their predicament on the Internet and asked for offers. It’s a sad reflection on the state of South African boxing that one of our most talented champions finds himself in no-man’s land. Another local boxer is involved in world title action this weekend, however, that being the IBO flyweight champion, Zolile Mbityi. Mbityi, who won his title last year in Poland, wrote his name in the annals of international boxing history earlier this year when he featured in the first world title bout to be screened exclusively on the Internet. He makes the second defence of his world title on Saturday in Peterborough, England. His opponent is the former European flyweight champion Damaen Kelly. Kelly relinquished his European title to pursue higher international honours and is intent on using Mbityi as a stepping stone to exactly that. Mbityi oozes confidence. It took four challenges for him to win his title and he has no intention of giving it up. The little South African has built up quite a following in the United Kingdom and his bout against the Irish fighter is sold out. The UK seems to be a good hunting ground for local fighters.
Mbulelo Botile clinched a sensational deal for his upcoming world title challenge against Paul Ingle for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight world title. Having cut ties with Golden Gloves promotions in South Africa, the fight was opened to purse bids this week. Rodney Berman and Cedric Kushner offered Botile about R280 000; Panos Eliades went better and offered the former IBF bantamweight world champion about R530 000, but Frank Warren topped that with a winning offer of R630 000 – good money in anybody’s language. The date and venue of the Ingle-Botile clash has not yet been set, but must take place within 90 days. In all likelihood it will happen in England in November, with the winner of the bout facing off against Naseem Hamed early next year.
ENDS