WBC DECISION BIG BOOST FOR SOUTH AFRICA’S SILVER BELT CHAMP SIYAKHOLWA KUSE

WBC DECISION BIG BOOST FOR SOUTH AFRICA’S SILVER BELT CHAMP SIYAKHOLWA KUSE

A decision by the World Boxing Council (WBC) to allow Filipino world minimumweight champion Melvin “Gringo” Jerusalem to defend his minimumweight title against any top-15 ranked boxer has boosted the chances of South Africa’s Siyakholwa “One Way” Kuse getting a world title shot.

At the recently-concluded WBC convention in Hamburg, Germany, it was decided that former WBC minimumweight title holder, Japan’s Yudai Shigeoka meets Thailand’s Thammanoon Niyomtrong in a title eliminator with the winner becoming the mandatory challenger.

“We’re very happy with the latest development it gives us hope we can get a shot at the world title,” Kuse’s elated manager Mlandeli Tengimfene told boxersworld.co.ke.

“I have a co-promotion arrangement with Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves he will push we get this chance,” said Tengimfene, adding:” What gives us more hope is that our boxer is currently ranked third.”

Contacted, Berman said plans are underway to table an official bid for Jerusalem’s WBC minimumweight world title.

“Our priority is to reach out to Jerusalem’s team next year and entice them come to South Africa for a title defence against Kuse,” said Berman who ruled out the possibility of a rematch between Kuse and South Africa-based Zimbabwean Beaven “The One” Sibanda whom Kuse beat early this month to win the WBC minimumweight silver belt at the Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, Johannesburg.

It was a closely contested fight but the southpaw Kuse prevailed after doing the donkey work for the better part of the fight that Sibanda’s late rally failed to tilt the pendulum in his favour.

In addition to the third ranking in WBC’s latest minimumweight ratings, Kuse’s victory over Sibanda has further boosted the morale of his manager Tengimfene. He is confident Kuse can silence Jerusalem whom he however respects as a two-time world champion.

“Like any other boxer Jerusalem is beatable and I would love to have him with Kuse in the ring sooner than later,” said a confident Tengimfene who played a leading role to assist Kuse stop abusing drugs in 2022.

It was a difficult task but eventually we managed to save Kuse’s boxing career from being messed up by drugs.” He explains the steps he took to stop Kuse abusing drugs.

“He came to me after having heard I assisted one of the boxers from his area who was also his friend called Sinethekna Kotana,” said Tengimfene.

“Kuse came to me and asked for two things, that I assist him to beat the addiction and also assist him regain his South African mini flyweight title he lost during his addiction, we achieved that and went on to win Africa Boxing Union title too.

“Kuse is a living example that the drug habit is beatable with a strong mind and positive support. It was not an easy journey I must confess. Had it not been for the support from us in our gym, trainers and his family particularly his father, this fight could have taken longer than it has. Today I’m proud Kuse has quit the habit and become a regular church goer.”

Kuse himself explains why he became a drug addict. “I was dealing with a lot of problems at home and boxing stuff, having no one to support me,” said Kuse, and went on:”I cannot say I used drugs for a long time because it was on and off but it became serious that’s why I decided to stop, I was taking weed and tik. I’m very grateful to Mr Mlandeli for his support.”

Kuse is optimistic of success if he gets a shot at Jerusalem’s world title. “I can beat him even if there are no build-up fights,” said Kuse and took us back to his hard-fought win over Sibanda to clinch the WBC minimumweight silver title.

“As a southpaw my strategy was to use my jab and feinting attack before throwing any punch and move side to side not infront of him.” Kuse’s manager Tengimfene is happy his boxer can now manage his own life.

“He stays in Mdantsane Township in an informal settlement known as Ngidi named after a liberation stalwart from that vicinity, he now lives on his own.”

On why most African professional boxers are engaged in side jobs, Tengimfene said:”As you know African pro boxers don’t earn a lot of money in the ring that’s why most of them engage in side jobs to supplement their income but Kuse is concentrating fully on his career as a pro boxer without other jobs. He wants to make a lot of money now while still strong and build his future with his earnings from pro boxing.”

Tengimfene was a good amateur boxer albeit briefly during his youth but his father did not support him. Eventually he switched to pro boxing management.

“I was an amateur boxer during the mid to late 70s. It didn’t take me long before my late father (Ta Ben) who was an educationist took me out and directed me to school and soccer as he saw boxing a dangerous sport.

“I first ventured into pro boxing management in 2012 with Zolani Tete and his brother Makazole Tete becoming my first boxers. I made Zolani a two-time world champion and Makazole a multiple champion (SA and International Champion) and the rest is history.

“I further established a promotional company in 2015 to further the careers of other boxers in the camp. In my stable currently I have Azinga Fuzile, Ngxaka Mthokozisi and other up and coming stars.”