Burgenoning fighter Nkululeko "The Bull Dog" Mhlongo promises to take France Ramabolu through an intense physical seminar when they collide for Mhlongo's WBF Intercontinental junior middleweight title in Rustenburg on February 19.

Mhlongo, who also holds the SA and interim WBA Pan African belts, rarely fights because he is too good for local boxers. But Ramabolu - a WBA Pan African and WBF International champion who is undefeated in the six fights he has fought - does not share those sentiments and has boldly promised to put an end to that notion.

His bravado has angered Mhlongo, who has stopped 10 of 13 victims against three losses.

"Imagine a student threatening to beat up his teacher, where have you heard that," asked Mhlongo. "I will punish him so badly that the defeat might be detrimental to his career because he is still wet behind his ears. This boy has been misled by his trainer [Harry Ramogoadi] into believing that he has arrived. I intend to get over and done with them in four rounds."

When Mhlongo met Ramabolu and Ramogoadi for an interview last week, the champion gave them an unpleasant look. It got worse when they were asked to pose for a photo. Mhlongo had not brought the belt that will be contested for, so they had to use Ramabolu's.

That opened the door for Ramogoadi to get some verbal punches in at Mhlongo and his trainer Sechaba Mabuya: "You guys knew that the belt was going to be needed but you come here empty handed. Did you come for a modelling shoot or boxing?"

Mabuya was agitated: "You guys are lucky that your belts will not be on the line. The fact is that you are heading for severe hiding. Period."

Promoter Tshele Kometsi, whose TK Promotion will stage the event said: "If what we've seen here today is anything to go by, then anybody who claims to be a boxing fan must be at Mmabatho Convention Hall because this bout has all the attributes to be a cracker."

WBF president Howard Goldberg tipped Mhlongo to win. "But it is actually closer than many people think."