Boxing In South Africa: Makepula and Myekeni Headline Huge Show

Stablemates Masibulele “Hawk” Makepula and Mhikiza “Showtime” Myekeni are both intent on flying high at Branco Sports Productions’ (BSP) “ Parade of Champions” boxing extravaganza at the Wembley Arena in Johannesburg on Friday, March 31st.

The international boxing feast, co-hosted by the Gauteng Provincial Government as part of their campaign to showcase the province as the “Province of Champions”, features no less than six international championship bouts at the popular indoor venue in Turfontein.

Makepula, Myekeni, Gabula Vabaza, Vusi Malinga, Tshepo Lefele and Jeffrey Mathebula will all share the same ring against credible overseas opponents in a first for South African boxing.

Makepula, a former three-time world champion and the current WBC International super-flyweight champion, will put his title on the line against the French national champion, Christophe Rodrigues, with Myekeni defending his international flyweight belt against Benedict Suico from the Philippines.

Many pundits are of the opinion that Makepula is ready to challenge for a legitimate world championship, but Makepula wasn’t complaining when informed by promoter Branco Milenkovic about his March 31st match-up against the rugged French journeyman, even although he fought as recently as a month ago (February 10) at Graceland Casino in Secunda.

Makepula makes no secret of the fact he wants a shot at world glory this year and his determination to go all the way for the fourth time in his colourful career, was underlined with a superb defence of his WBC International title on that occasion against the tough Filipino, Junior Talape.

The “Hawk” (30 fights, 27 wins, 3 losses), is very highly regarded by all the world’s major sanctioning bodies (IBF # 3, WBC # 4, WBO # 5 and WBO # 11), but his instinct and ring-wise nature will always tell him that he shouldn’t under-estimate his French opponent (27 fights, 13 wins, 12 losses and 2 draws), who is capable of pushing him the full distance.

Not that Makepula is accustomed to going the full 12 rounds since linking up with Johannesburg-based trainer Nic Durandt, having won his last few encounters by stoppage.

It will certainly be a career-defining turning point for stablemate Myekeni, making the second defence of his coveted green WBC International belt against a dangerous puncher in the Filipino, Suico.

The Suico surname is very familiar already to South African boxing lovers. He is related to Randy Suico, the man who engaged Mzonke Fana in Soweto two years ago in a final WBC world title eliminator which went on to be named as the “Fight of the Year” in 2004.

Myekeni (22 fights, 20 wins and only 2 losses) also features very prominently in the latest rankings of the world’s major sanctioning bodies (WBC # 4, IBF # 7, WBO # 7 and WBA # 13), but is expected to have his hands full against Suico (12 wins – 9 by ko – 1 loss), who certainly won’t just be in the country for nothing more than a quick pay cheque.

The “Parade of Champions” Tournament at the Wembley Indoor Arena starts at 18h30. Ticket Prices have been pegged back at a very reasonable R 70.