ACCOMPLISHED boxing trainer Elias "Mr Fantastic" Tshabalala says South Africa will produce its third WBC champion on September 14.
This is the man who produced two of Mzansi's WBC champions, Thulani "Sugarboy" Malinga and Dingaan Thobela.
He deputised for Nick "Mthakathi" Durandt when Malinga ended the reign of Nigel Benn as the super middle- weight champion in the UK on March 3 1996.
Tshabalala was alone when the "Rose of Soweto" DingaanThobela bloomed on September 1 2000 by winning the same belt from Glen Catley in Brakpan.
Malinga and Thobela were dark horses going into their fights. But they rose to the occasion.
Tshabalala's charge Gideon "Hardcore" Buthelezi is not given even the slightest of chances against WBC junior flyweight champion Adrian Hernandez. But Tshabalala says his 24-year-old twinkling star from Boipatong in the Vaal will also rise to the occasion.
Hernandez chose Buthelezi, who is rated No6, for his voluntary defence because the Mexican, who will fight at home, believes Buthelezi will be easy meat. Credit should go to promoter Rodney Berman for convincing the WBC hierarchy to sanction Buthelezi. Berman did the same for the Malinga-Ben clash.
Harnandez is under enormous pressure because his IBO belt will be declared vacant the moment he steps in the ring because the WBC does not unify with the IBO.
Tshabalala and Berman are still moulding their charge, a former SA, WBO Africa and IBO mini flyweight champ. Buthelezi holds the IBO junior flyweight title he won from Hekkie Budler in January.
Tshabalala paid tribute to Berman and the WBC sanctioning committee for the golden opportunity to fight for the prestigious title. IBF, IBO and WBF belts are more common among South African fighters.
Buthelezi's situation is reminiscent of that of Zolani Petelo, who shocked the local boxing fraternity by winning the IBF mini flyweight title from Ratanapol Sor Vorapin in Thailand on December 27 1997. Petelo had just failed to win the national mini flyweight title from Lindi Memani and was under no pressure before the fight.
Buthelezi backed to stun Hernandez
ACCOMPLISHED boxing trainer Elias "Mr Fantastic" Tshabalala says South Africa will produce its third WBC champion on September 14.
This is the man who produced two of Mzansi's WBC champions, Thulani "Sugarboy" Malinga and Dingaan Thobela.
He deputised for Nick "Mthakathi" Durandt when Malinga ended the reign of Nigel Benn as the super middle- weight champion in the UK on March 3 1996.
Tshabalala was alone when the "Rose of Soweto" DingaanThobela bloomed on September 1 2000 by winning the same belt from Glen Catley in Brakpan.
Malinga and Thobela were dark horses going into their fights. But they rose to the occasion.
Tshabalala's charge Gideon "Hardcore" Buthelezi is not given even the slightest of chances against WBC junior flyweight champion Adrian Hernandez. But Tshabalala says his 24-year-old twinkling star from Boipatong in the Vaal will also rise to the occasion.
Hernandez chose Buthelezi, who is rated No6, for his voluntary defence because the Mexican, who will fight at home, believes Buthelezi will be easy meat. Credit should go to promoter Rodney Berman for convincing the WBC hierarchy to sanction Buthelezi. Berman did the same for the Malinga-Ben clash.
Harnandez is under enormous pressure because his IBO belt will be declared vacant the moment he steps in the ring because the WBC does not unify with the IBO.
Tshabalala and Berman are still moulding their charge, a former SA, WBO Africa and IBO mini flyweight champ. Buthelezi holds the IBO junior flyweight title he won from Hekkie Budler in January.
Tshabalala paid tribute to Berman and the WBC sanctioning committee for the golden opportunity to fight for the prestigious title. IBF, IBO and WBF belts are more common among South African fighters.
Buthelezi's situation is reminiscent of that of Zolani Petelo, who shocked the local boxing fraternity by winning the IBF mini flyweight title from Ratanapol Sor Vorapin in Thailand on December 27 1997. Petelo had just failed to win the national mini flyweight title from Lindi Memani and was under no pressure before the fight.
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