Boxing Snippets

SA challenge for unbeaten Mbenge

Thulani Mbenge, left, in recent action. Pic: N-SQUARED

Golden Gloves has signed a fascinating SA championship match-up between welterweight title-holder Shaun Ness and hot prospect Thulani Mbenge.

The pair will tangle in the headliner of the “Showstoppers” bill at Emperors Palace on April 23.

Ness (10-1-2) is unbeaten in his last 10 fights and has shown encouraging improvement under Colin Nathan’s tutorship. He’s rugged and always comes to fight.

SA champion Shaun Ness.

Mbenge represents the new wave. Unbeaten in nine fights, with nine stoppages, the prodigy is a heavy puncher with slick moves.

Among SA boxers, only Kgotso Motau and Courage Tshabalala (11) and Daniel Bruwer and
 Phillip Ndou (10) have scored more KOs than Mbenge from debut.

Mbenge is likely to start as favourite, but Nathan, for one, isn’t buying the hype. “He’s talented, but hasn’t fought anyone like Ness, who has a great chin and a good work rate. Shaun is happy to accommodate him – Mbenge holds no fears for us.”

Promoter Rodney Berman believes Mbenge is the real deal. “If he does the business against Ness, I’d say he has outgrown South Africa. We’d probably take the international route. The depth at welterweight is tremendous internationally and Thulani deserves to be in the mix as one of the best up-and-comers.

House favourites DeeJay Kriel and Lucky Monyebane will also be in action.

 

 

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