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Boxing in my veins: Ndlovu

Bongani Magasela

Bongani Magasela

IBO junior featherweight champion Takalani Ndlovu says he is not motivated by financial gain in boxing but the love of pugilism, which pierced his heart in 1987.

"I was eight years old at the time. I won so many medals in the amateurs and that made me happy. I set goals for myself after turning professional in 1999.

"I have won both the SA featherweight and the IBO junior featherweight titles, and I am happy.

"But I must now open the last door and win the IBF title from Steve Molitor and be able to say I have achieved my ultimate goal of winning the belt in one of the top three boxing bodies," he said.

Ndlovu, the former reigning king in the featherweight class, will challenge the "Canadian Kid" at home on July 14.

Molitor won the then vacant title in November last year by stopping Michael Hunter in five rounds. Molitor was supposed to defend the title against Gabula Vabaza at Nasrec on September 1 but poor health forced the "Tiger" out of the fight.

The Canadian is undefeated after 23 wins (nine KOs). He faces Ndlovu who wants to walk in the footsteps of legends Welcome Ncita, Vuyani Bungu and Lehlohonolo Ledwaba. They held the same title. Ncita defended it six times, Bungu 13 times and Ledwaba five times.

Ndlovu has devoured 17 of his 27 opponents and lost three times.

Meanwhile, Ndlovu's promoter Rodney Berman announced that Kgotso Motau and Grant Fourie will fight yet-to-be-named opponents in other undercards.

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