"CHAMPIONS are made from something they have deep inside them - desire, a dream and a vision. They have to have the skill and the will, but the will must be stronger than the skill."
This famous quote was made by Muhammad Ali. It is the perfect description of Keith "Baby Beast" Nkosi.
The ambitious 22-year-old from Mbali township in KwaZulu- Natal has only fought 10 times, with eight wins (5 KOs) against two defeats. Yet Nkosi has accepted a fight against the human hurricane that is Sipho "Tsunami" Taliwe, the vastly experienced 31-year-old WBC International junior lightweight champion, who has blown away 14 of his 20 victims.
Their showdown will take place at Emperors Palace on March 18, Golden Gloves fight publicist Brian Mitchell announced.
On paper the bout is a mismatch but Nkosi, the African Boxing Union lightweight champion, said he would not have accepted the offer if he did not fancy his chances against Taliwe, who is rated No4 by the WBC.
"I want to be something in boxing and I have confidence to do that," said Nkosi, who fights out of the Hammer Gym owned by veteran trainer Harold Volbrecht. "Sipho is a very good and strong fighter and I've got great respect for him. Our fight will be my hardest to date but guess what, I don't doubt myself, not even for a second.
"I was actually in a similar situation when I fought Warren Joubert, another seasoned, strong fighter, for the ABU title on December 3."
That supposed mismatch, Nkosi's first 12-rounder, turned out to be his easiest boxing match since he turned professional in 2010. Nkosi, who had never gone past four rounds, tore Joubert apart in one round. Three knockdowns forced referee Tony Nyangiwe to intervene.
While Taliwe could not be reached for comment, his trainer Benny Pailman said they weren't underestimating Nkosi.
"But Sipho will moer him," he said straight up. "This is a wrong fight for Keith. I know for sure that he will get a hiding second to none."
Taliwe, who is from Aliwal North in Eastern Cape and trains in Westbury, outboxed Mzonke Fana, a former two-time IBF champion, over 12 rounds on December 9.
Nkosi not short of will power
"CHAMPIONS are made from something they have deep inside them - desire, a dream and a vision. They have to have the skill and the will, but the will must be stronger than the skill."
This famous quote was made by Muhammad Ali. It is the perfect description of Keith "Baby Beast" Nkosi.
The ambitious 22-year-old from Mbali township in KwaZulu- Natal has only fought 10 times, with eight wins (5 KOs) against two defeats. Yet Nkosi has accepted a fight against the human hurricane that is Sipho "Tsunami" Taliwe, the vastly experienced 31-year-old WBC International junior lightweight champion, who has blown away 14 of his 20 victims.
Their showdown will take place at Emperors Palace on March 18, Golden Gloves fight publicist Brian Mitchell announced.
On paper the bout is a mismatch but Nkosi, the African Boxing Union lightweight champion, said he would not have accepted the offer if he did not fancy his chances against Taliwe, who is rated No4 by the WBC.
"I want to be something in boxing and I have confidence to do that," said Nkosi, who fights out of the Hammer Gym owned by veteran trainer Harold Volbrecht. "Sipho is a very good and strong fighter and I've got great respect for him. Our fight will be my hardest to date but guess what, I don't doubt myself, not even for a second.
"I was actually in a similar situation when I fought Warren Joubert, another seasoned, strong fighter, for the ABU title on December 3."
That supposed mismatch, Nkosi's first 12-rounder, turned out to be his easiest boxing match since he turned professional in 2010. Nkosi, who had never gone past four rounds, tore Joubert apart in one round. Three knockdowns forced referee Tony Nyangiwe to intervene.
While Taliwe could not be reached for comment, his trainer Benny Pailman said they weren't underestimating Nkosi.
"But Sipho will moer him," he said straight up. "This is a wrong fight for Keith. I know for sure that he will get a hiding second to none."
Taliwe, who is from Aliwal North in Eastern Cape and trains in Westbury, outboxed Mzonke Fana, a former two-time IBF champion, over 12 rounds on December 9.
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