Marali could claim Oupa's crown
2002-10-18 08:46
Johannesburg - South African junior featherweight champion Oupa Lubisi is in
danger of being dethroned in his first appearance at home as the
national titleholder.
Lubisi of Mhluzi in Middelburg will host Zolani Marali of the
Eastern Cape on November 1, at Graceland Casino in Mpumalanga -
the same venue where Lubisi last appeared when he was still paving
his way to national honours.
He will be bidding for a second defence of the belt he won from
Innocent Mthalane in Durban last December.
Lubisi, who registered a technical draw against Zamuxolo Beyi
three months ago, could in fact be facing his toughest assignment
to date in his 19 fights, even though the challenger is
little-experienced.
Lubisi, however, should be motivated by the fact that he remains
the only national champion from Mpumalanga that used to boast big
name boxers like Lawrence Ngobeni and Anthony Tshehla.
The two fallen heroes, who come from the ABC camp in Witbank,
are former SA and WBA Continental junior welterweight champions and
All Africa, WBC International and South African featherweight title
holders respectively.
Having been grounded in this proud boxing heritage is the reason
that Lubisi should use his experience of 19 fights and territorial
advantage to the utmost.
Although he is no banger, Lubisi 16-3 record attests to his
boxing ability, while Marali, the nominee for the Prospect of 2001
in the annual King Korn awards, has not done anything of serious
note except that he is yet to taste defeat after 10 fights.
In Marali's favour is the fact that Lubisi was unconvincing in his last fight which ended prematurely in the fifth round after an
accidental clash of heads which left Beyi with a big gash on the
bridge of his nose.
Mzonke Fana has been added to the under-card of the Branco
Universal production tournament although promoter Branco Milenkovic
did not know who exactly the "Rose of Khayelitsha" will meet in the
first defence of his WBC International junior lightweight title.
- SAPA