Erasmus Magwaza and his boisterous trainer, Nick Durandt, could both eat humble pie on Friday night for looking down on Menzi Mdunge, who will challenge Magwaza for the South African lightheavyweight title at Durban’s DLI Hall.
Durandt has already announced that his charge will seek international fights after beating Mdunge because ”there will be no other opposition locally”.
Besides Mdunge, the only ranked boxer in the light heavyweight class is Jim Murray, who was dethroned by Magwaza in Secunda in March.
But Magwaza’s joy could be shortlived and his future ruined by Mdunge, who still wants to avenge his fifth-round stoppage defeat by Magwaza in Johanesburg in June 2002.
Magwaza will make his first defence since stopping the ageing 38-year-old Capetonian in three rounds.
The champion and his challenger are both from KwaZulu-Natal but Magwaza is now based in Johannesburg. Their grudge fight will be the main contest of Nu Generation Promotion’s seven-bout card.
The CEO of the promotion company, Mike Dube, has promised boxing-starved fans from KwaZulu-Natal a feast of non-stop action from 7pm. SABC2 will broadcast only the main bout live on Blow by Blow at 10pm.
The two gladiators turned professional in 2001. Magwaza still boasts a clean slate, having won all his eight fights, while Mdunge’s image has been tainted twice.
The champion has flattened all his opponents and four of the challenger’s victims have failed to see the last round.
Mthokozisi Malinga and Mzonjani Majola, who outpointed Mdunge over six rounds last month, will contest the KwaZulu-Natal light heavyweight title in the main supporting contest.
A six-rounder and three four-rounders in various weight divisions will pave the way for the two title fights. — Sapa