Bongani Magasela

Bongani Magasela

Peter Mashamaite, the former SA super middleweight champion, must win big against Khaphathe Mphambanyeni on Friday night to convince pundits that he still has what it takes.

They are convinced that this hard hitting 26-year-old boxer from Limpopo has reached the ceiling as a fighter.

That was after his points loss in October to Lukas Wilaschek for the German title.

Mashamaite also lost the national belt to William Gare, who humbled the cocky champion at the Orlando Community Hall in June last year.

Mashamaite's fight on Friday at the Carousel casino will be for the vacant South African middleweight belt that was relinquished by Khotso Motau who moved up to the super middleweight class on his return from Canada, where he dropped a points loss over six rounds to journeyman Shawn Garnett.

By right Mashamaite, who has 17 wins, nine by knockout, and seven losses should overwhelm Mphambanyeni, a novice of only five wins and one defeat, with experience and power.

Mphambanyeni, a 2006 Baby Champs titlist, earned the right to fight for the national title last November after defeating Simon Mokoena in a title elimination fight.

Mashamaite's fifth-round stoppage of vastly experienced campaigner Mpush Makambi for the IBO Intercontinental belt last February raised his stock as a fighter.

But his high and mighty attitude cost him the national title. So it's up to him to prove the pundits wrong.

Meanwhile, his stable mate Jonas Kgasago will defend the national mini flyweight belt against Gideon Buthelezi, a 2006 Baby Champ, in the main attraction. Kgasago will bid for a second title defence.

Hot prospect Cleutus Mbele will fight Nkosinathi Tshinavhe in a bantamweight six rounder. Mbele is trained by Jabulani Malinga who guided his son Vus'Umuzi Malinga to a 10th- round stoppage win over Tshinavhe for the WBC International belt in 2005.

Multiple award winning promoter Branco Milenkovic, who will stage these fights, said entrance is R50.