ISAAC "Angel" Hlatshwayo has boldly said he will fight American Delvin Rodriguez for the IBF welterweight title anywhere.
ISAAC "Angel" Hlatshwayo has boldly said he will fight American Delvin Rodriguez for the IBF welterweight title anywhere.
"I will fight him in heaven, in the sea or even on hard land," said Hlatshwayo yesterday.
Rodriguez was born in the Dominican Republic but is now based in Connecticut, in the US.
Hlatshwayo, from Shisase Village in Limpopo, will fight Rodriguez for the vacant IBF belt at Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut on August 1.
The welterweight belt was held by Ghanaian Joshua "Grand Master" Clottey.
He was supposed to defend against Hlatshwayo in February but he opted to challenge Miguel Angel Cotto for the WBO belt.
The IBF stripped Clottey of its belt immediately after he signed a contract to challenge Cotto, who retained his belt via a split decision last month.
"Its not about who and where I fight, it is about the world title. That is all I want.
"So I will fight Delvin anywhere," said Hlatshwayo, the 32-year-old former two-time IBO lightweight and welterweight champion.
"My mind, body and soul are hyped up for the world title, not for Rodriguez.
"Americans can be hostile but I don't care. One thing that makes me feel good is that I am the underdog.
"You see, once you reach my age, you are written off here at home. But South Africans must know that they will have their second IBF champion on August 1."
The other South African fighter who holds an IBF belt is Malcolm "The Stone" Klassen.
Hlatshwayo and Klassen are trained by Nick Durandt.
Durandt predicted a stoppage win for Hlatshwayo, whose first fight with Rodriguez in November last year was declared a draw.
Hlatshwayo was initially declared a points winner but the decision was changed almost an hour later to a draw.
Angel not too old yet
ISAAC "Angel" Hlatshwayo has boldly said he will fight American Delvin Rodriguez for the IBF welterweight title anywhere.
ISAAC "Angel" Hlatshwayo has boldly said he will fight American Delvin Rodriguez for the IBF welterweight title anywhere.
"I will fight him in heaven, in the sea or even on hard land," said Hlatshwayo yesterday.
Rodriguez was born in the Dominican Republic but is now based in Connecticut, in the US.
Hlatshwayo, from Shisase Village in Limpopo, will fight Rodriguez for the vacant IBF belt at Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut on August 1.
The welterweight belt was held by Ghanaian Joshua "Grand Master" Clottey.
He was supposed to defend against Hlatshwayo in February but he opted to challenge Miguel Angel Cotto for the WBO belt.
The IBF stripped Clottey of its belt immediately after he signed a contract to challenge Cotto, who retained his belt via a split decision last month.
"Its not about who and where I fight, it is about the world title. That is all I want.
"So I will fight Delvin anywhere," said Hlatshwayo, the 32-year-old former two-time IBO lightweight and welterweight champion.
"My mind, body and soul are hyped up for the world title, not for Rodriguez.
"Americans can be hostile but I don't care. One thing that makes me feel good is that I am the underdog.
"You see, once you reach my age, you are written off here at home. But South Africans must know that they will have their second IBF champion on August 1."
The other South African fighter who holds an IBF belt is Malcolm "The Stone" Klassen.
Hlatshwayo and Klassen are trained by Nick Durandt.
Durandt predicted a stoppage win for Hlatshwayo, whose first fight with Rodriguez in November last year was declared a draw.
Hlatshwayo was initially declared a points winner but the decision was changed almost an hour later to a draw.
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