Cafu favourite to win vacant SA title

Phumelela Cafu goes into his fight against Enathi Stelle as the favourite when they meet for the vacant South African junior bantamweight title at the Orient Theatre in East London on Saturday night.

Southpaw Cafu (9-0-3; 7) made his pro debut in May 2018 and won the vacant WBF International flyweight title before going on to fighting a creditable draw against the vastly more experienced Jackson Chauke in a challenge for the South African flyweight title

In a return fight with Chauke on 23 December 2022, he won on a split decision and in his most recent fight on the 20 August this year he won on points over ten rounds against the experienced Genisis Libranza.

Stelle (6-4;5) has not fought at the same level as Cafu and only goes into the fight with a puncher's chance.

Cafu is listed at No 1 and Stelle is at No 2.

They will be fighting for the title that was vacated by Landile Ngxeke (12-1; 5) who will meet Lusizo “Speed Fire” Manzana (10-1; 4) for the vacant SA bantamweight title on the same bill.

This is an even matchup but most of the pundits favour Ngxeke to win on a close decision.

There are five championship fights on this Xaba Promotions bill.