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Moment of truth for big guns

Bongani Magasela

Bongani Magasela

Pressure will be on Silence "Real Deal" Mabuza, Takalani "The Panther" Ndlovu and Osborne "Big Daddy" Machimana to deliver the goods on Saturday night.

The fighters, who are trained by esteemed mentor Nick Durandt, will be in action at Emperors Palace.

Former five-time world heavyweight champion "Iron" Mike Tyson will be part of the SuperSport television commentary team.

Mabuza will defend the IBO bantamweight belt against Eden Sonsona while Ndlovu will dust off the cobwebs against Raymond Sermona over eight rounds.

Both their opponents are from the Philippines.

The main bout of this "Fire and Brimstone" five-bout bill that is bankrolled by Gree Air Conditioners pits Machimana against Corrie Sanders in a blowout over 10 rounds.

Machimana, 27, the South African heavyweight champion, is in a no-win situation. Victory against the 42-year-old Sanders won't make him anything better but defeat will be a confirmation of the view that Machimana is no-hoper.

He must blow Sanders, the former WBU and WBO champion, away in five rounds - period.

Meanwhile, Mabuza has his eyes fixed on Joseph Agbeko's IBF title. Mabuza is rated number three.

The dexterous boxer from Ekurhuleni, who switches from the orthodox to southpaw stance with ease, must win big to enhance his chances of taking on the Ghanaian.

Mabuza, who has 20 wins (16 KOs) and two losses, should be too smart for 19-year-old Sonsona, who can't punch his way out of a paper bag.

Sonsona has only three short-route wins from 14 victories and two defeats.

"This is my year of prosperity," declared Mabuza.

His stablemate Ndlovu must also win big in order to convince his promoter Rodney Berman that he still has what it takes to conquer.

Ndlovu was stopped in nine rounds by Steve Molitor for the IBF title last July.

That was Ndlovu's fourth defeat against 27 wins (17 KOs). But he too, like Mabuza, should sweep the inexperienced yet undefeated Filipino aside. Sermona has only 10 wins (6 KOs) and three draws.

Unbeaten prospects Hekkie Budler and Grant Fourie should continue with their winning ways against Sibusiso Twani and Sheriff Rananyimi.

The fights will be staged by Golden Gloves Promotions.

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