Two local boxers will take to the ring at ESPN Africa Boxing 23 in Durban on Thursday, when Mduduzi Mzimela faces Sanele Maduna for the vacant KwaZulu-Natal Junior Featherweight title.
Mzimela, who hails from the small KZN town of eSikhawini near Richards Bay and Empangeni, has a 5-0 record with three KO's since turning professional in 2019.
He draws inspiration from American boxer Gervonta 'Tank' Davis, who has held multiple world championships in three weight classes, and Mzimela has set his sights on winning world titles as he prepares to make his ESPN debut his own backyard.
He says his love for boxing developing at an early age after he saw no future in playing soccer: "I was a soccer player, but I decided to leave the sport because I didn't see a path to success.
"I was introduced to boxing when I was young and I wanted to make a name for myself. I saw a boxing as career path to success.
"I want big-belt world titles after this fight because the KZN title is a test to me. I am ready to be a professional and my five bouts shows that I was ready.
"I see myself fighting for world titles and I'm very happy about this opportunity given to me. I am looking forward to entertaining the boxing world."
Maduna is also from KZN, hailing from Steadville, a township in Ladysmith. He graduated from the University of Zululand in 2014, earning his degree in Development Studies.
He was exposed to boxing at a young age after finding himself in the company of professional fighters, and says his brother Sithembiso played a big role in him choosing boxing as a career path, having made the step up from amateur in 2017.
Another boxer crucial to his development was Thulani 'Sugar Boy' Malinga, who won the WBC Super-Middleweight Title twice in a career spanning 19 years.
"I knew from an early age that I'll be a professional fighter because I was surrounded by professional boxers growing up" said Maduna. "My big brother was also a boxer so that's what drew me to the sport. I fell in love with it the first day I went to see him fight.
"There's also a boxing legend I grew up watching, 'Sugar Boy' Malinga, who is from the same township and the same boxing stable... and he's been in a lot of places, he's been a world champion several times, so we've been taking advice from him as amateurs, as kids."
Maduna is determined to claim the KwaZulu-Natal provincial title because it will pave the way for him to compete against a national champion. He has welcomed the chance to fight at an ESPN event, acknowledging it doesn't happen often in one's career.
"My focus is winning this fight because it will open doors for me as the guy I'm fighting is rated number two in the country and beating him will earn me a chance to challenge a current South African champion," he declared.
"It means a lot to be given this opportunity and I'll be fighting where I grew up. It really means a lot to me because opportunities like this come once in the lifetime, this will be my career-defining fight."
The action will be broadcast live on Thursday 17 November at 19:00 [CAT] on ESPN (DStv 218, Starsat 248), SABC Sport and selected international broadcasters, including ESPN across Latin America.
ESPN Africa Boxing 23 - Fight Card
- Main event: Junior Welterweight, 10 Rounds: Xolisani Ndongeni (30-2-0) v Apinun Khongsong (20-2-0)
- Featherweight, 10 Rounds: Ludumo Lamati (20-0-1) v Mark Anthony Geraldo (38-11-3)
- Super Middleweight, 8 Rounds: Andile Mntungwa (6-5-1) v Tristan Truter (10-3-0)
- Female Lightweight, 8 Rounds: Anisha Basheel (10-8-0) v Chiedza Homakoma (6-3-2)
- Middleweight, 8 Rounds: Donjuan Van Heerden (4-1-0) v Giresse Wingui (2-1-0)
- Vacant KwaZulu-Natal Junior Featherweight Title, 10 Rounds: Sanele Maduna (4-1-2) v Mduduzi Mzimela (5-0-0)