Sebastian Rothmann will be vying for his second world title on Saturday when he faces New Zealander Anthony Bigeni for the vacant Internatioanl Boxing Organisation cruiserweight crown at Carnival City. The fight is the main bout on the undercard to the Cassius Baloyi vs Mbulelo Botile match-up.
Rothman, who relinquishes his World Boxing Union title when he enters the ring, is a firm favourite although Bigeni has faced a few bigger names than the South African has. The 38-year-old Bigeni, who has fought most of his career as a light heavyweight, has been in the ring with former Roy Jones opponents Glen Kelly and Richard Hall and was easily dispatched by both.
He has in fact lost in four of his past six outings and now has a record of 22 wins, eight losses and 14 knockouts. The most impressive name on his victory list is Ugandan John Mugabi, although it must be said this was the former World Boxing Council (WBC) junior-middleweight world champion’s second-last outing in a career that spanned 19 years and 50 fights. The New Zealander stopped him in eight rounds.
It would be a mistake for Rothman to take Bigeni lightly as his knockout ratio shows he can punch — if nothing else. Rothman, in turn, does not boast the best defence in the business and is guaranteed to allow his opponent to land a few crisp clear shots to his head.
Rothman is always good value, irrespective of who he faces — and few fighters can make that claim. He currently has a record of 15 wins, with one loss, two draws and 11 knockouts. Come Sunday it should read 12 knockouts in 16 wins.
” Khulile Makeba, rated number one by the WBC in the mini-flyweight division, will be defending his national title against Mzi Foslare in East London on Friday night. Makeba recently signed with Don King to challenge Jose Antonio Aguirre for the WBC world title and many say he is foolish to risk the opportunity by taking on Foslare.