Kevin Lerena’s failed challenge against Daniel Dubois in London last weekend should have sent shivers down the spine of Thulani “Tulz” Mbenge.
The cold-blooded manner in which the English ring officials broke their own rules to preserve their fighter in the opening round was astounding.
If they can stiff you in London, they can stiff you anywhere.
Mbenge, who flies out to France today for what could be a career-boosting showdown against Souleymane Cissokho next weekend, said he was jumping up and down when he thought Lerena was on the verge of a first-round victory.
Three times Dubois went down. In hindsight Lerena should have used some of his family jockey blood and jumped ruthlessly on the Englishman.
But the hometown officials took centre stage. Referee Howard Foster twice allowed Dubois to take a knee without being hit — not trying is considered a foul under British boxing rules — and then the timekeeper ended the first round 10 seconds early.
British media reported this week the fight was being investigated after objections by Lerena’s handlers; at best they’ll get a rematch, but boxing results are never overturned.
This is a sport in which daylight robbery is sacrosanct.
And yet Mbenge wasn’t worried as he sat comfortably on a sofa at Sean Smith’s gym in Sunninghill, north of Johannesburg, speaking about the shot that could get him into the world title frame.
“I’m very happy going to France. I’m in good spirits. I don’t put anything negative into my mind because I’ve been preparing. I’m fit, I’ve got the experience, I’m in a good space.
“I know I’m going to pull this one off, I know I’m going to shock people.”
I’m very happy going to France. I’m in good spirits. I don’t put anything negative into my mind because I’ve been preparing. I’m fit, I’ve got the experience, I’m in a good space
At stake is the WBC’s Silver welterweight title, a stepping stone belt. “The main reason I took the fight is the WBC sanctioned it and it should allow for more neutral scoring,” said Smith, who has full confidence in Mbenge’s ring skills.
“It’s about how Tulz can navigate and use his intellect and ring skills. If Thulani does what we’ve been working on to neutralise him, he’ll win.”
Mbenge, who struggled with inactivity after suffering his only defeat in Germany in 2019, is leaving on a particularly busy weekend of local boxing.
Chris Thompson defends his South African heavyweight title against Keaton Gomes at Emperors Palace today, the third time the belt is being contested in 2022. The only time the mantle saw more action was in 1954, when Johnny Arthur made four successful defences.
This year, however, it’s changed hands three times already, from Juan Roux to Josh Pretorius to Thompson.
On Friday night former IBF strawweight champion Dee-Jay Kriel returned to the ring after nearly two years to grind out an eight-round points win over former SA flyweight champion Thembelani Nxoshe.
And the great Durban spectacle linked to Zulu King Misuzulu and scheduled for Moses Mabhida stadium today has been shifted to an undisclosed venue on Tuesday “due to security reasons”.
“This will now be a private event only for VVIPs, strictly by invite only and the venue will only be disclosed to invited guests,” the promoter J4Joy said in a statement.
Spokesman Sipho Mashego Saturday said there had been concern for the king’s safety, adding the new venue could be the Durban ICC.
The Sunday Times had been told in the week about boxers and officials still waiting for their tickets to Durban to be issued. “It’s been chaotic,” Mashego admitted, while insisting all was on track.
It seems some flight tickets were issued only Saturday.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.