With South Africa's Simphiwe Nongqayi's WBO challenge against former victim Jorge Arce stealing the spotlight, countryman Gideon Buthelezi's WBC title shot against Mexican Light Flyweight Adrian Hernandez almost flew under the radar. The current IBO belt holder takes on newly crowned Hernandez in Mexico after upsetting undefeated compatriot Hekkie Budler in January. Buthelezi hopes to score his thirteenth win against only two defeats but will be hard pressed to wrest the belt from the more experienced champ who has already faced several former title holders in compiling a 21-1-1 record.
A big show in South Africa headlined the 'Blockbuster' features world rated Super Lightweight contender Kaizer Mabuza (23-7-3) squaring off against fast-rising national Welterweight title holder Chris van Heerden (16-1-1) for the vacant IBO mantle. Though Mabuza, coming off an unsuccessful IBF world title shot against highly regarded American Zab Judah, is vastly more experienced than his young southpaw opponent, this will be his first go at the higher weight limit which should even things out.
A second IBO matchup pits former Light Flyweight champion Hekkie Budler (18-1), dropping down a division to campaign for the vacant Straweight belt, against world rated OPBF champion Michael Landero (15-4-4) of the Philippines. Budler tries to regroup from a recent loss to countryman Gideon Buthelezi while Landero, who must be favoured, is on a roll remaining unbeaten in his last nine against tough opposition.
Undercard action sees Johannesburg resident Flo Simba, by way of DR Congo, try to climb back on the heavyweight fast track after a disastrous defeat at the hands of the White Buffalo, Frans Botha, back in June. Simba will be gunning for his twelfth win against former national Cruiserweight champ Danie Venter (11-5) over eight rounds, or less. Vet campaigner Sam Malinga (22-7-2) takes on touted Congolese Bongo Lipembo in a highly charged eight round matchup. Though the gap in experience is wide, Malinga, the former South African champ, has lost three of his last five while Jo'burg based Lipembo is on a hot streak of four straight inside the distance wins since turning pro with two losses over seven years ago.
Undefeated Joey Stiglingh may be biting off more than he can chew in his fourteenth fight when he takes on former ABU and South African titlist Jasper Seroka (20-3) in another eight rounder. And in what could be the fight of the night, big-punching Zack Mwekassa (10-2) of DR Congo tests unbeaten South African Cruiserweight champ Thabiso Mchunu (9-0), also over eight.
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