Current achievements alone will not be good enough for Thulani "Tulz" Mbenge in his attempt to dethrone tough-as-teak South African welterweight champion Shaun Ness when they collide at Emperors Palace in April.

Mbenge - who was crowned ABU champ in December - will need more than just that because Ness will definitely not go in there like a sheep ready to be slaughtered.

The champion from south of Johannesburg knows too well that loss could be detrimental to his career as he is now aged 33.

Ness turned professional in 2010. He is superior than Mbenge in terms of experience, having boxed 63 rounds, of which 33 were from three championship fights.

He drew with a fit Ntuthuko Memela over 10 rounds for the Gauteng provincial title in 2015. At that time Memela, from Eshowe in KwaZulu-Natal, was trained in Johannesburg by accomplished trainer Jabulani Malinga.

Ness then beat Anelisa Gungqisa for the then vacant SA welterweight belt over 12 rounds and retained it after outpointing the same foe in July.

The son of respected amateur trainer Nicky Ness always comes to fight. Ness - who is trained by Colin Nathan - has 10 wins, 5 KOs, against a loss and a draw.

Granted, Mbenge seems to be destined for bigger things.

The 2014 bronze Glasgow Commonwealth Games medallist - who turned professional in 2015 - is already rated No 2 due to the special talent he possesses.

The smiling assassin from Mdantsane - who is trained in Johannesburg by Sean Ness - has boxed only 15 rounds in the professional ranks. He is fresh from a three- round stoppage win against a jittery Memela at Emperors Palace.

The up-coming fight between Ness and Mbenge will be staged by Golden Gloves.

That is where Ness dug deeper in his reserve to overcome Ayanda Mthembu in July.