Takalani ”The Panther” Ndlovu will have to clobber Willie Mabasa at the Carousel in Hammanskraal on Friday night if he wants to defend his SA featherweight title.
Should the 27-year-old champion fail to do that, then his two-year reign will come to an end.
Mabasa issued a stern warning through his trainer, Rob McLeod, on Tuesday.
”He said Takalani will have to kill him for this fight. Mabasa said he is prepared to die inside the ring,” said McLeod.
The 24-year-old challenger comes from Limpopo province, which has taken the limelight from the boxing-crazy Eastern Cape.
McLeod has guided his charge to 10 wins (five stoppages) against a loss since they met in 2002. McLeod, who in the past has complained about Mabasa’s lack of dedication to serious training, said his charge had given his all this time round.
”I have never seen Mabasa train so hard. He did all that I asked him to. He is focused and ready. He is fit and his weight is there.
”It’s not going to be an easy fight for either boxer but I see hunger and dedication in Mabasa’s eyes and he should win.
”Look, Takalani is a clever boxer but he can be outsmarted,” said McLeod.
However, Mabasa, who last fought in March when he outpointed Michael Matsunyane over 10 rounds, will need to keep his wits about him if he doesn’t want to end up counting the stars.
Ndlovu has the ability to end the fight early. The Sowetan champion, who is trained by his father Stanley at the Dube Club, boasts 14 knockouts in 22 wins and three losses.
Ndlovu has recorded three defences of the title he won from Anthony Tshehla in a first-round knockout two years ago, . He stopped Matsunyane in the eighth round in April. — Sapa