South African junior bantamweight champion Simon ”Dancing Shoes” Ramoni has dismissed weekend reports that he is avoiding Silence ”Real Deal” Mabuza.
Instead the champion, who dethroned Mabuza’s stablemate Theo Modise on an 11th-round stoppage in May, has reiterated his desire to challenge the Tsakane, Springs-based IBO champion.
”I want Mabuza bad,” he said on Tuesday. ”I am appealing to fight fans to be patient. We will give them value for their money but only when the right times comes.”
In fact Ramoni had no choice but to oblige with Boxing SA’s order to defend his national title against Nkosana Sobethu within 90 days.
He said the governing body stated clearly in its letter that he had to defend his title.
”I value the South African title. I did not even think twice but to take instructions,” said the humble-mannered boxer from Toekomsrus in the west rand.
”How can they say I am running scared of Mabuza when in fact I am the one who challenged him just after beating his stablemate?
”I need to beat Mabuza to convince people that I am the best local fighter in this division. He is rated highly so a win against him will open doors wide for me.”
Ramoni is the former undefeated IBO junior featherweight champion. He maded three defences before being stripped in 2000 due to inactivity.
The multitalented Ramoni, a skilful and clever boxer who also boasts superb footwork, was to challenge Mabuza on August 7.
Instead, Ramoni will host the East London-based Sobethu at the Orlando Community Hall in Soweto on Friday night.
Their bout will be broadcast live on SABC2’s Blow by Blow at 10pm and it will be staged by BRD Promotions.
Ramoni, who became the first local boxer to go down two weight divisions and win the national belt in his new weight class, said he knows nothing about Sobethu except that the challenger is a southpaw.
”I am not underestimating him at all. I am sure that he will try hard to use this opportunity to the best of his abilities but I have bad news for him. He will go back home empty-handed,” said the champion.
Ramoni dropped down from the 55,34kg weight class to the junior bantamweight category (53,52kg) and still overwhelmed the natural campaigner in that division.
On paper, the champion, who boasts massive experience from 27 fights, is a hot favourite to outclass Sobethu.
Ramoni has flattened 14 of his 21 opponents. He has four losses and two draws to his name. — Sapa