Bongani Magasela

Bongani Magasela

Jonas Kgasago does not only intend to retain the South African mini flyweight title only against Mzukisi Myeki on Friday night at the Carousel in Hammanksraal.

The pocket-sized fighter from Namakgale in Phalaborwa said he also wants to mark his entry to the stable of new trainer Nick Durandt with a dazzling display.

The Dreadlocked Kgasago says Durandt has introduced him to a different world in the noble art.

Kgasago had always been with Paul Chabalala. Together they chalked up 10 wins from 11 fights and won Boxing SA's Baby Champs last year, as well as the national title against Eliot Tokona four months ago with a technical knockout in the seventh round.

Kgasago crossed floors two months ago and is already singing the praises of his new, no-nonsense mentor whose painful training methods have ignited the lost spark in SA heavyweight champion Osborne Machimana.

"His training methods, quality sparring with boxers with various styles, has given me so much confidence that I am not bothered that I do not know Myeki. I will use the first three rounds to assess him," said Kgasago who rules the smallest weight division.

Meanwhile, Juanito Ablaca from the Philippines, whose fighter Alex Aroy will challenge Zukisani Kwayiba for the WBC strawweight title, pleaded for "honesty" from judges in this Branco Sports Production tournament.

"My boxers Randy Suico and Jerope Mercado lost fights they [should have] won here against Mzonke Fana and Vusi Malinga. Randy dropped Fana three times but lost on points," he said at Nasrec during the pre-fight medical yesterday.

Aroy tipped the scales at 50,20kg while Kgasago registered 48,30kg.