Bongani Magasela

Bongani Magasela

Bongani "Cyclones" Mwelase knows nothing about fighting under Golden Gloves in March despite his trainer Johnny du Plooy insisting that Mwelase's future will be guided by promoter Rodney Berman.

Berman's publicist Terry Pettifer announced that Mwelase would fight for the vacant IBO welterweight title at Emperors Palace.

"I know nothing about that," said Mwelase, who is on holiday in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.

"I am promoted by Blacky Seoe and he has done well. I am happy. I cannot just dump him. I want to continue working with him.

"I will have a serious discussion with Johnny when I get back to Jozi."

But Du Plooy said: "I received a letter from Rodney [Berman] suggesting that he and Blacky [Seoe] co-promote Mwelase.

"I gave that letter to Blacky before his last tournament in November.

"Blacky said he would think about it and come back to me.

"Indeed, he came back to me and asked if Mwelase be happier with Berman.

"I said, 'But we will be walking that route together'. He said no, he won't be part of it because he prefers doing things his way."

When reminded that Berman had once said he would never work with him, Du Plooy, said: "Rodney and I had some words long time ago when I was still a fighter but we've made up now.

"That man made me as a fighter, helped me to make some millions."

Berman and Seoe were both not available for comment.

Mwelase is the former South African, WBC International and WBF welterweight undefeated champion.

He vacated the WBC International title but hung on to the national belt until he won the WBF strap, an achievement which forced him to relinquish the South African title.

His failure to make the weight for the first defence against Namibian Ali Nuumbembe last month saw Mwelase lose the WBF title at the scales.

The fight went ahead as a non-title fight for the former champion who stopped Nuumbembe in the seventh round.

That was Mwelase's 12th stoppage in 13 wins from as many fights.