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Tyson eager to be champ again

NEW HERO: Mxolisi Nombewu pins Xolani Radi against the ropes during their fight in 2014. Nombewu faces Sabelo Ngebiyane this week Photo: Michael Pinyana
NEW HERO: Mxolisi Nombewu pins Xolani Radi against the ropes during their fight in 2014. Nombewu faces Sabelo Ngebiyane this week Photo: Michael Pinyana

Kwa-Thema in Springs has not produced a boxer to spark the fire in the same manner that Silence "The Real Deal" Mabuza did during his heyday.

Mabuza, a former two-time IBO bantamweight champion retired in 2010.

Trainer Themba Zulu says his charge Mxolisi Nombewu is the boxer to bring the glory days back to Springs.

The former IBO International bantamweight holder - nicknamed "Little Tyson" due to his muscular physique - will face Johannesburg-based Capetonian Sabelo Ngebiyane in a non-title eight rounder at Orlando Communal Hall in Soweto on Friday night.

"Mxolisi is resilient, very strong and charismatic. It is just that his career has been plagued by misfortunes," said Zulu of the Geo Maroon Gym in Springs.

Nombewu lost his IBO International belt late last year due to inactivity. He then dislocated his shoulder and had to quit in the second round against Cleutus Mbele for the WBF International title in October.

The fight on Friday will be his first since that injury.

"I am taking him down to the junior bantamweights. Fortunately the weight difference between the bantam and junior bantamweight is one-and-a-half kilograms, so he won't struggle to make the limit," said Zulu, who described the upcoming bout on Friday as personal.

"Ngebiyane beat my other boxer Ronnie Chiloane two months ago. This fight won't go the full distance. Somebody is going to kiss the canvas.

"Mxolisi has been wonderful in sparring and basically in everything. We are ready."

Topping the Rainbow Boxing Promotions bill will be Warren "The Warrior" Joubert, Ngebiyane's stablemate at the HotBox Gym of Colin Nathan.

The SA junior welterweight champion will welcome Lungisa Jikani from Port Elizabeth.

Promoter Pat Molefe's six-bout bill will start at 7pm.

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