Tried and tested

EVEN the best boxers in the world cannot fight super fights every time.

As much as the fight public wants a second instalment to the Deon Coetzee-Fikile Nyalunga series, it has been given the fourth meeting between Coetzee and Khayeni Hlungwane.

The fight will take place at Gold Reef City Casino, south of Johannesburg, on Thursday night.

The rematch takes place at the same venue where Coetzee - the nephew of former heavyweight world champion Gerrie Coetzee - made a positive entry in the professional boxing ranks in August 2008, when he knocked Hlungwane out in the first round.

Hlungwane - then under former SA flyweight champion Joseph "Baby Joe" Miya - had left the boxing public stunned in his professional debut in Hammanskraal in June 2008 when he poleaxed Ilunga Makabu in one round.

So there were concerns when Hlungwane was matched with the young Coetzee. They met again in Boksburg on April 21 2012, this time Hlungwane was in an uncompromising mood and only suffered a points loss over four rounds.

Promoter Manny Fernandes matched them for the third time at Gold Reef City on August 29 last year. Coetzee - who had chalked up three consecutive knockout wins since being outpointed by Nyalunga on July 20 2012 - overpowered his foe over three rounds.

He was supposed to have actually met Nyalunga but their bout did not take place. Instead, Coetzee left his management and teamed up with Nick Durandt and now he has been matched with Hlungwane, who is now trained by Peter "Destroyer" Malinga.

Their clash is not a bad boxing bout at all. Hlungwane is a credible boxer who is just lacking in confidence. The well-built boxer showed some improvement in his six rounder against Kevin "KO Kid" Lerena - the power puncher who has left most of his opponents gasping for air.

A win for Coetzee, theoretically, keeps open the almost possibility of a Coetzee-Nyalunga fight. They could meet for the national cruiserweight belt, which is held by Coetzee's stable-mate, Daniel "Billy The Kid" Bruwer, who has stated that he intends vacating it because he wants to gown down to the light heavyweight class where Hlungwane occupies the first spot. Coetzee is rated fifth in the cruiserweight division.

In the main supporting contest, the number contender to the national junior lightweight title, Nkosinathi Ntshangase, should overwhelm Sibusiso Zingange in order to stake claim in the division which is ruled by Jasper Seroka.

There will be five more bouts of the tournament that will start at 7.30pm.