A win over Ngxeke would mark a historic milestone for South African boxing siblings

Charlton Malajika is ready to kickstart a new local boxing dynasty when he takes on Landile Ngxeke for the vacant International Boxing Organisation (IBO) bantamweight title at Emperors Palace on Saturday night.

Victory will see him and older sibling Ricardo, the World Boxing Council (WBC) and IBO super-flyweight king, become the first South African brothers to hold world titles.

The Toweels are surely the greatest fighting family in history, with the brothers ruling with their fists from the 1950s to the 1960s, although their influence as trainers has stretched to a third generation in Alan Toweel Jnr, who has a light-heavyweight in action on the Golden Gloves bill.

The Steyns starred as boxers across the 1960s and 1970s with the Malingas making their mark in the 1990s and 2000s.

One of the driving forces behind the Malajikas is veteran trainer Manny Fernandes, who became the first local coach to steer two fights to WBC crowns, in minimumweight king Siyakholwa Kuse and the older Malajika.

Trainer’s key role

Fernandes has played a key role in establishing the Brian Mitchell Boxing Academy as one of the top camps in the country, but Ngxeke is based at another top institution, Colin Nathan’s Hot Box Gym.

Handling Malajika’s opponent is Shannon Strydom, son of respected trainer Gert, who worked with Fernandes at his BRD outlet at Wembley Stadium in the late 1990s and 2000s. That is where Strydom discovered his love for the sport. “That’s the first gym where I put a pair of boxing gloves on; that’s where my boxing career started.

“That’s where I decided I want to fight amateurs,” recalled Strydom, the lead trainer in this bout and looking for his first world title. I think very highly of Manny, I respect him as a coach. He’s one of the best our country’s ever seen.”

I believe I’ve earned the right to fight for the world title. The time has come. I’ve got no excuses

—  Charlton Malajika, SA boxer

Strydom is predicting a tight contest between two attacking fighters. “I think it’s a great stylistically matched fight. Malajika is a good competitor; I respect him and his team a lot.

“Landile’s put in a gruelling camp. I think it’s going to be a tough fight. It reminds me of the Vuyani Bungu-Lehlohonolo Ledwaba, Mzukisi Sikali-Hawk Makepula domestic classics.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if this is a Fight of the Year contender. Landile is a front-foot fighter. He comes, he throws a lot of punches, he’s in your face.

Good counterpuncher

“Malajika has proven in his last couple of fights that he can actually box from the outside, he’s a good counterpuncher, but I know Manny is a very front-foot trainer. His guys are on the front foot, they come in fit, they also hit the body, they like to be in your face,” Strydom said, pointing out Ngxeke had the height and reach advantage.

“I’ve got a feeling they’re going to close the gap on us, they’re going to meet us right in the centre of the ring.”

Ngxeke, 31, is more experienced, with a record of 17 wins (nine KOs), two defeats and a draw, losing his bid for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) crown in Mexico City last year on a seventh-round stoppage.

Malajika, 25, has nine wins (four KOs), one loss and a draw, a disputed result in his last fight in Zambia.

But Ngxeke, a former South African champion, believes his experience will give him the edge. “Our levels are not the same. I can’t see Malajika beating me. I think I’ve fought better opponents than him; I don’t think Malajika is going to manage the rounds the way I can.”

Even when his IBF title bout was stopped, Ngxeke said he still felt strong. “I want to challenge again for that title, and now I’m rated [No 10] and that’s what gives me extra motivation. I belong there.”

Ready for his moment

Malajika, who is 15th in the WBC, two spots ahead of Ngxeke, is ready for a war. “It’s going to be one tough fight,” he said. “I believe I’ve earned this position to fight for the world title. I’m all locked in, can’t wait to get in, showcase my skills.

“It’s every boxer’s dream to fight for a world title, become world champion. The time has come now, I’ve got no excuses.”

Fernandes doesn’t see the fight going the distance.

“I think it’s going to be easier than his last fight, the reason being he’s fighting at home. He was in great shape the last fight, and I think he’s in better shape this fight. I think he’ll stop this guy in the later rounds.

“He’s improving like you can’t believe. He’s maturing. Ricardo’s there already, but Charlton’s getting there quick,” added Fernandes, who is hoping to have two world champions crowned on the night.

Another of his stars, Zimbabwean Ndabezinhle Phiri — the only boxer to have defeated Malajika — is taking on Brandon Daord in Liverpool for the vacant IBO flyweight title, aided by a cornerman he’s picked.

The Golden Gloves tournament at Emperors Palace will also see Roarke Knapp taking on South African middleweight champion Phikelani Khumalo, heavyweight prospect Juan Alberts facing national titleholder Shaun Potgieter and Toweel’s Tuvia Wewege challenging South African light-heavyweight champion Bryan Thysse.

Potgieter’s and Thysse’s belts are not on the line.

The tournament will be broadcast by SuperSport on DStv channel 208 from 7pm on Saturday.