WeeklySA_AdminPALACE PANDEMONIUM: Fans guaranteed a nip-and-tuck affair equal to a mini classic as Ricardo takes on veteran Jackson Chauke
By Sports Reporter
Ricardo Malajika has always made much of his desire to fight the world’s best. This weekend he gets his chance against a man from his own backyard in the shape of Jackson Chauke, a veteran whose outstanding career has bubbled along quietly.
Malajika is the coming man, a fleet-footed marvel with fast fists and burning ambition. He is the IBO’s super flyweight champion but is dropping down a division to gun for Chauke’s flyweight belt in the Golden Gloves “Palace Pandemonium” show-topper at Emperors Palace.
Chauke has operated largely in the shadows despite his excellent skills. He gave reigning WBO super flyweight champion Phumelela Cafu two rousing fights and has beaten almost every South African of consequence. In the past 12 years he has lost just once, a remarkable return.
And in his last bout, he was brought in as the opponent for England’s Quaise Khademi for the vacant IBO belt at the famous York Hall. Chauke schooled him, handing the Briton a first defeat.
Insiders are torn on who to pick on Saturday given the strengths and form of both. However, with Malajika 13 years younger than Chauke, who might not have the legs at 39, the challenger ought to be able to come on stronger in the latter rounds.
What is almost guaranteed is that it will be a nip and tuck affair likely to produce a mini classic. Local rivalries at the lower weights have traditionally given fans value in spades and this one stacks up little differently. The WBC’s Africa super welterweight belt will be on the line in the main undercard fight as Brandon Thysse takes on Namibia’s Charles Shinima in a fascinating match-up.
Thysse has had an in-and-out career, but his recent form has been encouraging with Damien Durandt, his trainer, high on his chances. Durandt insists his boxer has parked his distractions and is ready to inflict a second defeat on Shinima.
The Namibian is a good puncher and knows his business, although reports of him being cagey and upright will be welcomed by Thysse’s camp if true. He’s a classic boxer whose movement and fast hands can frustrate opponents. Provided Thysse is on song, the visitor could be in for a difficult outing. In earlier action, the tournament within a tournament, which is what the “Rising Titans” event is, will see four local light heavyweights competing for bragging rights.
In the first eight-round semifinal, unbeaten Bryan Thysse boxes Tuvia Wewege followed by Bonginkosi Nhlapo against Michael Head. Picking a winner is fiendishly difficult given how evenly matched they all appear to be.
In the show opener, Tyler Promnick will go for win number two against Emma Hohono. Meanwhile, four years after his last championship shot, the man known as “Golden Boy” is preparing for another attempt at a major title. Azinga Fuzile will travel to Kazakhstan to challenge unbeaten Sultan Zaurbek for WBA Continental super featherweight honours on April 5.
Zaurbek is ranked number three by the WBA and by all accounts is a rising star in the division. The southpaw trains in America with top Mexican handler Manny Robles, who has worked with the like of Reggie Johnson, Oscar Valdez, Vergil Ortiz Jr and Michael Conlan. Perhaps most famously, Robles was in Andy Ruiz’s corner the night he shocked Anthony Joshua for the heavyweight championship.
Zaurbek himself has crafted a 19-0 (13) record, although he arguably hasn’t faced someone with the class and talent of Fuzile. His best win came in his most recent fight against former world title challenger Damian Wrzesinsk
