Bongani Magasela

Bongani Magasela

There has been a backlash against the diabolical judgments meted to South African fighters away from home, with fight fans urging local officials doing duty tonight in three IBF elimination bouts at the Carousel casino in North West to favour South African fighters.

They argue that boxers Malcolm Klassen, Jeffrey Mathebula and Zukisani Kwayiba must find solace in officials Sazi Xamlashe, Wally Snowball and Andrew Smale.

Klassen and Mathebula will both be ushered to war by Nick Durandt while Kwayiba will have Vuyani Bungu shouting instructions in his corner.

Klassen and Mathebula will fight Manuel Medina and Julio Zarate (both Mexicans) while Kwayiba will belt it out with Ronald Barrera of Columbia.

Klassen and Medina will fight for the right to challenge Cassius Baloyi or Javier Alvarez. Baloyi will defend the IBF junior lightweight belt on September 13.

The winner between Mathebula and Zarate will challenge the victor in the Steve Molitor-Ceferino Labarda clash. Molitor defends the IBF junior featherweight strap tonight.

Kwayiba will oppose Barrera in the quest to challenge IBF mini flyweight holder Raul Garcia.

These three fights at the Carousel are presented by Branco Sports Productions, a renowned consortium co-owned by Branco Milenkovic and Jacob Matlala.

Smale will be the third man in the ring in the clash between Klassen and Medina, while Xamlashe, Albert Bennett (US) and Manfred Kuchler (Germany) will be judges.

Snowball will partner Bennet and Kuchler as judges between Mathebula and Zarate while Allen Huggins will be the referee.

Snowball, Bennet and Kuchler will be judges in the Kwayiba-Barrera fight while Joseph Cooper (US) will be the third man in the ring.

Daryl Peoples of the US will supervise all three fights.

Mzonke Fana will take on Mexican Ruben Estanislao over 10 rounds.