By Ronnie Nathanielsz
SA mini-flyweight champion Tshepo Lefele will make the first defense of his title when he faces Sakhumzi Mqadarhu at Nasrec Arena in Johannesburg on Friday night, Saturday in Manila, in a promotion by well-known South African promoter Branco Milenkovic .
The 28-year-old Lefele, who lost in a first round stoppage in his pro debut in April 2000 and then went on to win his next twelve fights in a row captured the vacant WBC International minimum weight title with a majority decision over the Philippines Elmer Gejon on June 24, 2005..
Lefele, who has a record of 15-3 with 9 knockouts according to boxrec.com, lost the title to another Filipino Gabriel Pumar, by a seventh-round stoppage on March 31, 2006. Lefele was inactive in 2007 but then returned to the ring and scored a six round decision over Pule Nhlapo before losing to Zukisani Kwayiba when challenging for the WBC International minimum weight title.
He then produced an outstanding win over Gideon Buthelezi to win the SA minimum weight title. Trained by Nick Durandt, Lefele is favored to win against challenger Mquadaru who reportedly has a record of 6-4-3; with 4 knockouts.
In August 2003 Mquadru was stopped in two rounds by the current IBO straw weight champion Nkosinathi Joyi.
Mqadaru, who holds the Eastern Cape minimum weight title and is ranked No. 7 by Boxing SA, had a good 2008, beating Siyamcela Gegesi and Lwazi Ndudeni inside the distance.
South African boxing writer Ron Jackson says Lefele should win and retain his title inside the distance but will have to tighten his defense against the potent left hook of the challenger.
