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munyai gets ibo title shot

KINGMAKER: Munyai's mentor Elias Tshabalala. Pic. Veli Nhlapo. 17/07/2000. © Sowetan. 20000717VNH226:GENERIC:NOCATEGORY:01JAN1980 - 20000621VN SPORT Elias Tshabalala PHOTO VELI NHLAPO
KINGMAKER: Munyai's mentor Elias Tshabalala. Pic. Veli Nhlapo. 17/07/2000. © Sowetan. 20000717VNH226:GENERIC:NOCATEGORY:01JAN1980 - 20000621VN SPORT Elias Tshabalala PHOTO VELI NHLAPO

LIMPOPO fighter Tshifhiwa "Atomic Spider" Munyai is earmarked for the IBO bantamweight belt held by Simphiwe "V12" Vetyeka, Golden Gloves publicist Terry Pettifer announced at the weekend.

Vetyeka will be involved in a WBC title eliminator with Abner Mares.

Vetyeka's promoter Branco Milenkovic, told Sowetan his charge would relinquish the IBO title before stepping into the ring with Mares.

But for now Munyai must focus solely on the defence of his WBA International belt title against Filipino Daniel Ferreras. Their fight will take place at Emperors Palace on February 27.

Munyai won the WBA belt against the tough Julio David Roque Ler at Town Hall in Bloemfontein in February 2008 under Robs Promotions.

Nine months later he defended it against Bongani Mahlangu before stopping Ghanaian Galley Cudjoe in the first round at Nasrec Arena.

Munyai severed ties with Robs Promotions to team up with Golden Gloves in November last year.

The admired fighter from Makwarela made headlines in the United Kingdom back in 2006 by pulverising that country's rising stars, Martin Power and Lee Haskins, into submission in nine rounds and six rounds, respectively.

Munyai, 23, won the Commonwealth bantamweight belt from Power on June 29. Power went into that fight boasting an unblemished record in 18 fights.

Four months later he stopped fellow Briton Haskins in six rounds. Haskins had also been undefeated after 14 fights.

British promoter Frank Maloney organised a rematch with Haskins with the view that Munyai's win over his charge had been a fluke.

The lanky and dexterous pugilist, a virtual unknown in South Africa at the time, again stopped Haskins in the same round.

The British Boxing Control Commission acknowledged Munyai's amazing skills with the international fighter of 2006 award.

Munyai is mentored by Elias Tshabalala, who guided Dingaan "The Rose of Soweto" Thobela to glory against Glen Catley for the WBC super middleweight belt in Brakpan on September 1 2000.

That was the first time ever that an African fighter fought for and won the highly regarded WBC belt.

Tshabalala, from the Free State, is the younger brother of the late Ginger and Joseph Tshabalala, who were both boxers.

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