Bopape defends SA middleweight title

South African middleweight champion John “Section 29” Bopape defends his title for the first time when he meets the number one contender, Snamiso Ntuli from eMnambithi in Ladysmith, KwaZulu/Natal, at the Multi-Purpose Hall in Soweto on Sunday afternoon.

The big punching 31-year-old Bopape (11-8; 10), who won the title with an 11th-round stoppage win over Nkululeko “Bull Dog” Mhlongo from Eshowe in Bloemfontein on 29 April, goes into the fight as the favourite against the comparative novice.

Rather sadly, there are only two contenders listed in the latest Boxing SA middleweight ratings after Ntuli, with Nkululeko Mhlongo at No 2 and Wade Groth at No 3.

At one time, the middleweight division listed some of South Africa’s greatest fighters like Jolting Joe Maseko, Mike Holt, Gert “Hottie” van Heerden, Johnny Wood, Willie Ludick, Joe Ngidi, Pierre Fourie, Gordon Goba, Sydney Hoho, Doug Lumley, Thulani “Sugarboy” Malinga, Gregory Clark, Charles Oosthuizen, Gerhard Botes and Mpush Makambi.

In the main supporting bout, Tiisetso Modisadife and Zolile Miya meet over 10 rounds for the vacant Gauteng flyweight title. Modisadife is listed at No 2 and Miya at No 5 in the latest Boxing SA ratings.

There are another five fights on the card and there will also be an exhibition match between former world champions Jan “Kid Gavillan” Bergman and Harry “The Terminator” Simon.