Rematch for Ndlovu and Mathebula
by Ron Jackson 07 February 2012, 17:57
Takalani Ndlovu and Jeffrey Mathebula are set to clash in a rematch at Carnival City on March 24.
Branco Milenkovic, of Branco Sports Productions, has announced that Ndlovu will defend his IBF junior featherweight title against his fellow South African at the venue near Brakpan on March 24.
When the two met in an IBF title eliminator at the same venue on September 10, 2010 the result was a highly disputed split decision – 118-109 and 114-113 for Ndlovu and 114-113 for Mathebula.
Milenkovic said on Tuesday: “This fight needs no marketing. It markets itself after the war the two waged in their first bout.”
Ndlovu won the IBF belt when he upset highly rated Steve Molitor in March last year to avenge two losses against the Canadian.
He retained the title when he beat Giovanni Caro in Mexico on October 29 last year.
The champion now boasts a record of 33-6, including 18 knockouts. Mathebula stands at 25-3-2; 14.
Since their previous fight, former Olympian Mathebula has stopped Sizwe Hasheni in the second round and beaten Oscar Chauke on points in a title eliminator.
The rematch against Ndlovu will be Mathebula’s second attempt at winning a “world” title. He lost on points against Celestino Cabellero in a challenge for the WBA and IBF junior featherweight belts in Panama in April 2009.
Even reporters for local newspapers felt the South African had won.
LAST BELL
Les Allen, a former British Midland Areas middleweight champion, has died at the Brandon House Care Home in Coventry, England.
Allen fought in 94 bouts from 1949 to 1958. He faced some of the best middleweights around, including British champions Henry Hall, Johnny Sullivan and Pat McAteer. He beat Terry Downs over eight rounds before Downs went on to win the world middleweight title.
Allen also fought four South Africans. George Angelo beat him on points over ten rounds, he drew with Dougie Miller over 8 rounds, lost by technical knockouts in the seventh against Jimmy Elliott and drew over eight rounds with Eddie Thomas.
Mario Maccarinelli, father of former WBO cruiserweight champion Enzo, has died at the age of 78. Mario came to Wales from Brescia in Italy in 1954. He worked in the coal mines and set up a boxing gym in Swansea. He trained a number of Welsh amateur champions.
Jack London Jr, son of a former British heavyweight champion, has died in Blackpool.
His brother Brian boxed as a professional from 1954 to 1966, compiling a record of 28-13-2, with 1 no-contest and 11 knockouts, in the light heavyweight division.
Born Jack Harper, John often worked as a sparring partner for his brother, who won the British and Empire heavyweight titles in 1958.
Well-known referee Wayne Kelly, 63, has died from a heart attack in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Kelly served in the US army in Vietnam and fought as a professional in the 1970s. He became a referee in 1988 and handled fights in which Arturo Gatti, Tracy Patterson and Riddick Bowe were involved.