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Former undefeated South African and current WBC International bantamweight champion Vusi Malinga left home shores at the weekend to attend a specialised training camp in Germany. Malinga will be attending a three-week intensive training camp with the current WBA bantamweight world champion, Vladimir Sidorenko of the Ukraine, who is based in Cologne.
The South African will spend three weeks with the Sidorenko camp, assisting the world champion (18-0) with his training and build-up for his up-coming title defence against the dangerous Panamanian Ricardo Cordoba (27-1).
Although this is a gilt-edged opportunity for Malinga to mix it with the best in his division, it is nothing new to boxers in the reputable Branco Sports Productions (BSP) stable.
“We believe in, not only delivering on our promises to our champions, but also moulding the best possible fighters as part of our quality commitment to our broadcast partners and Boxing South Africa,” said promoter Branco Milenkovic.
Malinga’s trip is part of an ongoing international exchange programme between BSP’s champions and all started in November last year when BSP sent WBC International mini-flyweight champion Tsepo Lefele and SA junior flyweight kingpin Muvhuso Nedzanani to the renowned Joe Koizumi training camp in Japan.
Malinga’s host in Germany will be Peter Kohl, who heads up the European promotional giant, Universum Promotions, the muscle behind guiding the careers of the well-known heavyweight Klitshko brothers, Vladimir and Vitaly.
Co-promoter Baby Jake Matlala, like partner Branco, is understandably delighted at the latest development in Malinga’s career. “ I believe this training stint for Vusi has come at just the right time, considering his recent one-year suspension and advanced plans for the first defence of his WBC International title on March 31st,” said Matlala.
Vusi was accompanied to Europe by his older brother Patrick, who will be involved in training with the current WBA International super-lightweight champion, Andreas Kotelnik.
Malinga is expected back home on March 6th to continue his preparations for the March 31st tournament in Johannesburg.
