Bongani Magasela

Bongani Magasela

Isaac Hlatswayo has joined the overflowing Branco Sports Production stable of world-acclaimed promoters Branco Milenkovic and Jacob Matlala.

"I signed a two-year deal with BSP last Friday," "The Angel" confirmed yesterday. "I am happy with their offer of no fewer than three fights a year. That is just what I want because a boxing ring is my office."

Among Hlatswayo's new stable-mates are IBF junior lightweight champion Cassius Baloyi, IBO bantamweight holder Silence Mabuza and IBF mandatory challengers Malcolm Klassen and Jeffrey Mathebula who defected from Rodney Berman.

Hlatswayo's confirmation ends last week's confusion, which left the impression that he was still with Berman. The latter was quoted elsewhere as saying he would organise the IBF welterweight fight for Hlatswayo against holder Joshua Clottey.

"Branco is my promoter. Nick Durandt will continue being my trainer and manager," said Hlatswayo, a former SA and IBO lightweight and IBO welterweight champion.

Milenkovic said BSP was proud to have a boxer of Hlatswayo's calibre on its books. He said he had already held talks with Clottey's promoter, American Bob Arum, about the date and venue for the fight.

Milenkovic works exclusively with the South African Broadcasting Corporation.

The careers of Hlatswayo, Baloyi, Mabuza, Klassen, Mathebula and Phumzile Mathyila were guided through SuperSport but they were not recognised in the streets.

Their defection to the SABC will make them easily known by millions of ordinary fight fans.