Mlindelwa Khumalo believes Snamiso Ntuli is going to be crowned WBO Africa Super Middleweight Champion on Saturday. Khumalo manages Ntuli’s career, the KwaZulu Natal champion from Ladysmith who will fight Namibian Paulinus Ndjolonimu. The fight was advertised as a title fight. Records show that Ntuli will be defending the belt he was awarded in 2021 for a fifth time. Khumalo and Ntuli flew to Namibia on Tuesday. The vacant SA title is his only chance to fight for. That belt became vacant when Boxing SA stripped Asemahle Wellem in July.Wellem repeatedly went out of the country without being cleared by the regulator, which has also suspended his boxer’s licence.Khumalo said: “Yes, it’s a risk worth taking because it’s for the WBO Africa title. For argument’s sake, if we don’t come back with a positive result, the chance to fight for the SA title will still be there.”That weight division has only three contenders: Ntuli, Dylan Prosser and Dillon Solomons.Khumalo explained that a boxer who does not have a promoter dedicated to them can’t plan their future the same way as those with promoters guiding their careers.“You take what comes your way,” said Khumalo, whose other charge and son, Phikelelani Khumalo, will defend his SA middleweight belt against Donjuan van Heerden in a Golden Gloves tournament at Emperors Palace on November 29.Twenty-nine-year-old Ntuli has nine wins in 16 fights, while Ndjolonimu, 38, tasted defeat in Germany on July 19. He had been undefeated after 18 fights.The same card will feature Harry Simon Jnr against SA-based Congolese Paul Kamanga over 10 rounds.Simon is the son of former two-weight WBO world champ Harry Simon.Simon’s 28-year-old son is undefeated after 24 fights, while 32-year-old Kamanga has 24 wins and three losses.Sowetan
2025-11-06 06:59:58
Trainer confident Ntuli will claim WBO Africa crown
