BUDDING trainer Springkaan Khongoane says Sam Malinga will not leave his fate in the hands of the judges in East London on Sunday.
Malinga aims to reclaim the South African junior welterweight title held by Mzolisi Yoyo. The champion from Mdantsane will enjoy territorial advantage in his third defence, which will be organised by Mzimasi Mnguni's Eyethu Boxing Promotions at the Mdantsane Indoor Sports Centre.
"We will do it all by ourselves," Khongoane vowed yesterday. The Free Stater, who is based in Gauteng, promised to produce his second national champion in Malinga. Khongoane guided Tsiko "Cruel Junior" Mulovhezdi to victory for the welterweight crown against Boitshepo Mandawe on August 3.
Khongoane, a former professional fighter, said they will do the job quicker than expected on Sunday because the chances of Malinga winning on points in Yoyo's back yard are very slim.
"I am not insinuating that judges down there are biased, but there have been dubious decisions against visiting boxers, especially in title fights that went the full distance," he said.
"We have left no stone unturned in our preparations, which were world class. He got quality sparring against tough opposition at the gym of Nick Durandt. Sam even sparred with Phillip Ndou, who hits very hard, to make sure that he is ready for anything that Mzolisi will come up with.
"We are going down to East London to reclaim what rightfully belongs to us."
Yoyo and Malinga are evenly matched in terms of power. They both have 14 stoppages, but Yoyo has 18 wins against four losses, while Malinga, the former IBO Intercontinental and WBF champion, has 22 victories against eight losses and three draws. There will be five more bouts on the card, with the action beginning at 2pm.
Malinga looking for stoppage
BUDDING trainer Springkaan Khongoane says Sam Malinga will not leave his fate in the hands of the judges in East London on Sunday.
Malinga aims to reclaim the South African junior welterweight title held by Mzolisi Yoyo. The champion from Mdantsane will enjoy territorial advantage in his third defence, which will be organised by Mzimasi Mnguni's Eyethu Boxing Promotions at the Mdantsane Indoor Sports Centre.
"We will do it all by ourselves," Khongoane vowed yesterday. The Free Stater, who is based in Gauteng, promised to produce his second national champion in Malinga. Khongoane guided Tsiko "Cruel Junior" Mulovhezdi to victory for the welterweight crown against Boitshepo Mandawe on August 3.
Khongoane, a former professional fighter, said they will do the job quicker than expected on Sunday because the chances of Malinga winning on points in Yoyo's back yard are very slim.
"I am not insinuating that judges down there are biased, but there have been dubious decisions against visiting boxers, especially in title fights that went the full distance," he said.
"We have left no stone unturned in our preparations, which were world class. He got quality sparring against tough opposition at the gym of Nick Durandt. Sam even sparred with Phillip Ndou, who hits very hard, to make sure that he is ready for anything that Mzolisi will come up with.
"We are going down to East London to reclaim what rightfully belongs to us."
Yoyo and Malinga are evenly matched in terms of power. They both have 14 stoppages, but Yoyo has 18 wins against four losses, while Malinga, the former IBO Intercontinental and WBF champion, has 22 victories against eight losses and three draws. There will be five more bouts on the card, with the action beginning at 2pm.
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