South African lightweight boxing king Isaac ”Angel” Hlatshwayo has vacated his national title to challenge Lovemore Ndou for the WBA Pan Pacific junior welterweight title in Australia on October 16.
Hlatshwayo, the proud owner of the coveted Old Buck Belt, was supposed to defend against Nigel Classen at the Carousel on September 28.
The former champion, who is yet to taste defeat after 20 wins (nine knockouts), said the offer by promoter Rodney Berman to fight Ndou was just too good to be turned down.
”I was still going to defend against Classen, beat him and travel to Australia to dethrone Ndou.
”But BSA [Boxing South Africa] said the two dates were just too close to each other — so I opted to vacate the South African title,” he said on Thursday.
The humble-mannered pugilist from Shisasi Village in Malumulele said he had no difficulty parting ways with the belt he won from Martin Jacobs in 2002.
”I have already fulfilled the promise I made to my mother to win the South African title, defend it five times and own the Old Buck Belt.
”I believe that I have done remarkably well at home, so I need to grow as a fighter,” he said.
Hlatshwayo (26) is confident that the fight against the Australian-based Ndou, originally from Musina in Limpopo, is his for the taking.
”Ndou is preparing to fight Kosta Tszyu and he sees me as an opponent, but I have bad news for him. I regard this fight as a step closer to realising my aspiration to win the world title.
”Rodney said if I beat Ndou, he will engage in negotiations with Kosta’s camp that he must fight me. There are no ifs; I will beat Ndou.”
Hlatshwayo’s last ring appearance was in May when he outpointed Phillip Ndou over 12 rounds to register the fifth defence of his title.
Hlatshwayo is rated fifth and sixth by the WBC and WBA respectively and Ndou occupies the 19th spot in the WBC’s ratings, while the IBF has pasted his name on its sixth spot.
Ndou, who is affectionately known as the ”Black Panther”, boasts 25 knockouts from 39 wins, seven losses and a draw.
Classen and Sikhulile Sidzumo have been approved to contest the vacant title.
But both boxers must secure a mutually accepted promoter before September 30, failing which BSA will call for purse bids. — Sapa