High noon for Big Daddy and Angel

THE endangered boxing careers of former champions Osborne "Big Daddy" Machimana and Isaac "Angel" Hlatshwayo will be tested in Sandton on March 2.

Machimana will fight Zimbabwean Elvis "The Elevator" Moyo in the heavyweight division, while Hlatshwayo takes on Kaizer "The Animal" Mabuza in the welterweight class.

Machimana, a former SA champion, should overwhelm Moyo who is a novice of nine fights - with three wins, four defeats and two draws.

But Machimana could be suffering from ring rust. He last fought in 2011 when he was stopped in three rounds by David Price in the United Kingdom.

A loss against Moyo will signal the end of the road for the 35-year-old fighter.

Hlatshwayo also cannot afford to go wrong against Mabuza. The truth is Hlatshwayo, 35, a former SA and IBO lightweight, IBO and IBF welterweight champion, has become a stepping stone for young fighters ever since he was demolished in three rounds by Jan Zaveck in 2009.

Hlatshwayo was never the same durable fighter who caused a stir in the US when he beat highly rated Nate Campbell in 2006.

His opponent, Mabuza, a former SA and WBA Pan African junior welterweight champion, also blows hot and cold. He was outpointed by Chris van Heerden for the IBO welterweight title, stopped Steven Wills in six rounds for the IBO junior lightweight title but was in turn stopped in four rounds by Khabib Allakhverdiev.

Machimana, Moyo, Hlatshwayo and Mabuza will clash in the undercard fights to Van Heerden's defence against Matthew "Magic" Hatton.

Showpony Promotions will be in charge of the tournament that also features Tshepang "The Gentleman" Mohale and Mthobisi "The Terminator" Buthelezi against Matty "Magic" Clarkson and Lobanda Batale, respectively, in non-title fights.