Vincent Mogotsi and Thomas Mashaba have promised to use their fights against Nelson Sebobiso and Joseph Majapelo respectively, at the Carlton Centre next Sunday, to claim top ratings locally. They are also aiming to convince the national sanctioning committee that they are ready for national honours.
But it is 20-year-old Mogotsi who will be setting his cap at earning the national ranking in the junior flyweight division, while Mashaba will undoubtedly be aiming at enhancing his chances of facing Zolani Marali for the South African junior lightweight title.
Mogotsi will meet Sebobiso over six rounds. The youngster, who is rated eighth in the Gauteng provincial rankings, boasts seven wins, a draw and a loss.
Mashaba, who occupies the second spot in the national ratings, will host his Free State opponent over eight rounds in the junior featherweight bout.
Mashaba is still basking in the glory of flattening Oupa Lubisi in three rounds last month. His record reads 7-2-1.
Their bouts on Sunday will form part of the Amaru Boxing promotion’s ”Brawl in the Mall” nine-card tournament, staged by promoter Alexander Atanasov, who has announced that entrance will be free for fight fans.
But trainers Benny Pailman and Eugenne Khanyile, insist that their charges will both win inside the distance.
”They are out to prove their class to the detractors,” they said.
Pailman said his boxer, Mogotsi, was angry. ”I am angry too. He will prove to the Doubting Thomases within the national ratings committee that his name should be there.
”He is in great shape as he was preparing for a fight that never materialised.”
The mentor, whose stable boasts top name boxers like junior heavyweight top contender Baldwin Hlongwane and Patrick Simelane, added: ”We are also not bothered by the fact that we do not know Sebobiso. A win by hook or by crook is what we will be gunning for.”
Khanyile, who has transformed Mashaba into a feared hard puncher, boldly said: ”Hopefully Mashaba’s victory will convince the national sanctioning committee that he is ready to mix with the top dogs.
”I am perplexed that Marali has not defended since winning his title six months ago.
”We do not underestimate Mojapelo at all, but we will not allow Mojapelo to be a stumbling block on our way to the top.
”We have lodged the challenge before and we are going to lodge another one after our win.” – Sapa