As the boxers sauntered in for the “Mzansi Magic” pre-fight medical at Emperors Palace on Tuesday, Rodney Berman remarked: “This is where it gets real.”
As it did, with all the fighters squaring off and having their say ahead of Saturday’s international tournament.
The tone was more respectful than rough, all the participants saying the right thing and paying due respect to their opponents. But it will be much different come fight time when niceties are parked in favour of hard punching.
In the main event, IBO junior bantamweight champion Ricardo Malajika defends against Jayson Mama, who won’t be intimidated. The Filipino has fought foreign opponents, challenged for titles and is as cool as they come. He said he’s enjoying South Africa, although the Joburg cold wasn’t what he was hoping, or expecting.
As usual, Juan Alberts was the biggest man in the house, even though he’s trimmed down to an impressive 112kg, which promises to make him sharper, quicker, and focused. With a solid camp behind him and tough sparring against Akani Phuzi and Chris Thompson, Alberts looks the part. But trainer Ryno Liebenberg remains grounded: “At this weight, they’re all big and all hit hard.”
Alberts faces Ghana’s Richard Tetteh, holder of the record for the fastest KO in his country’s history, a blistering 11 seconds. Expect fireworks the moment the bell rings.
In a junior middleweight bout, Roarke Knapp returns against battle-hardened Jhun Carcedo, intent on making a statement after a frustrating recent loss.
“I want to keep the momentum going. I’m making too many comebacks for my own liking,” said Knapp. “That stops now.”
Away from the men’s action, Saturday’s event marks a milestone for women’s boxing in South Africa. With four women’s bouts featured on the televised Mzansi Magic card, Ayanda Khumalo, Chairperson of Boxing South Africa, applauded the promoters: “Golden Gloves are empowering women and changing the face of boxing.”
Topping the women’s action is a highly anticipated showdown between South Africa’s top-ranked Simankele Tutsheni and second-ranked Caleigh Swart.
Trainer Matt Leisching forecast a war: “This will bring more fans to boxing. It’s going to be entertaining and explosive.”
Swart echoes the excitement, speaking with steely determination: “This is a massive stage for both of us. I’ve put in a lot of hard work and sacrifice. I’m excited to show what South Africa can do.”
Her versatility in the ring adds intrigue.
“If she wants to bang, I can bang. If she wants to box, I can box. If she wants to fight southpaw, I can fight southpaw. If she wants to play chess, we can play chess.”
But Tutsheni made her intent clear: “I want to make a statement: take my belt and go back home.”
The prestigious IBO All Africa super bantamweight belt will be up for grabs. With high-quality matchups and plenty of jeopardy packed into one evening, this tournament is more than a fight card; it’s a showcase of SA boxing’s future.
