While the big names will occupy centre stage at Emperors Palace this weekend, it will be the turn of the young brigade in a few weeks when Golden Gloves hosts “High Noon” at the casino venue on April 8.
Lerato Dlamini will top a fight card for the first time when he contests the vacant WBC International featherweight title against Sydney Maluleka, who steps in for Rofhiwa Maemu, who opted for a fight elsewhere.
Dlamini was to have fought Azinga Fuzile in the Super Four final, but this has been put on ice until Fuzile obtains a medical clearance.
The experienced Maluleka (17-8) is the perfect test for this stage of Dlamini’s career, a busy fighter with a rock-hard chin who ranks as one of the gatekeepers of the division.
If Lucky Monyebane was expecting an easy run after his faltering SA title challenge, he has the dubious pleasure of a fight against Sibusiso Zingange in defence of his Gauteng junior-lightweight title. Zingange can fight, as fans saw in his upset win over Ashley Dlamini two years ago.
Hot-running super-middleweight Rowan Campbell will feature in a warm-up for an SA title challenge. Other crowd-pleasers on the bill, which is still being knocked into shape by Jeff Ellis, include Joshua Studdard, Wade Groth, Michael Markham and Julian Cooke.
In a special touch, promoters Rodney Berman and Ellis will be dedicating the day to former boxer and internationally renowned fight official Alf Buqwana. A fundraiser will also take place in this regard.
The action will start at midday.
