November 24 is the date and Cape Town, South Africa, is the city that hosts 7-0 South African featherweight prospect Thembani “Baby Jake” Mbangatha. Mbangatha will be featured in the main event of Kalakoda Promotions and Kwesé Sport’s Friday Fight Night tournament, dubbed “Rapid Fire.”
With a great amateur pedigree and an unblemished professional career to date, a lot is expected of the young boxer, nicknamed “Baby Jake,” who hails from Capricorn Park near Muizenberg.
“Baby Jake is the real deal,” said coach Steve Newton “On the 24th of November, it’s his time to shine. Winning this belt represents years of dedication and commitment to his craft.”
Mbangatha, a full-time policeman in the South African Police Service, takes on a tough customer in Mayhihlomo “The Axe” Mojonono in an all-South African affair. MOJONONO will look to disrupt plans and end the Mbangatha fairytale.
“I have been patiently waiting for this opportunity, it’s time to take my boxing career to the next level,” Mbangatha said. “Winning this title will open up opportunities. I don’t know much about my opponent, but my preparation and sparing has gone well. I’m ready.”
The event takes place at the Wynberg Military base in Cape Town and features no fewer than three WBF Africa titles, showcasing some great talent. The two co-feature bouts see crowd favorite Sting Gondarenda from Zimbabwe defending the WBF Africa Cruiserweight title he won in Harare earlier this year against the tough and ever durable Tshanda Tshams of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The third title fight features unbeaten Light Heavyweight prospect Nicholas Radley from South Africa take on Makhasonge Zwengu from Port Elizabeth for the vacant WBF Africa Light Heavyweight title.
“Three WBF Africa Title fights in one night, this is shaping up to be a fantastic event,” said Howard Goldberg, World Boxing Federation president. “We are delighted to be involved and working with Team Kalakoda and Kwesé Sport. The Kwesé Friday Fight Night platform has breathed new life into African boxing. It now offers fantastic opportunities and exposure for young fighters.”
Another notable participant is exciting DRC heavyweight Knife Didier, who is brimming with confidence after his 1st round KO of Kizito Ruhamnye in September at the same venue. A former MMA fighter, Knife has made the cross over to boxing with some success, with his only two losses coming at the hands of Ruann Visser. Chalking up another win on the 24th will put him in a good position to challenge some of the big heavyweights of Africa.
