GALLERY: Thulani Mbenge to make his third defence of his IBO welterweight title

IT will take some courage for one of South Africa’s best welterweights to go abroad and defend his title on foreign soil. But Thulani Mbenge knows that he will be away from his supportive fans and home crowd when he gets into the ring on July 6.

Mbenge will travel to Hamburg in Germany to make his third defence of his International Boxing Organisation (IBO) welterweight belt. He will come up against Sebastian Formella, the World Boxing Organisation, WBO European champion.

However, if looking at both of the boxers’ records, Mbenge has not lost a fight. On paper this seems to favour him, but as he said: “I know I will fight him (Formella) in front of his home crowd and it will be difficult. But I am there to do my job and has prepared well for this one.”

Mbenge boasts 12 KOs and 15 wins, and recently took the upper hand against Diego Cruz, Gabriel Chaves and Miguel Vasquez.

On the other hand, Formella, has 10 KOs out of 20 fights.

“I can’t wait for the opportunity to get into the ring. I will be aware of what he brings on the evening and will have my support from my corner.” In his corner will be his trainer, Sean Smith and the team.

“We need to be on our best and to put up a strong performance in Germany. He has performed well in training and I believe we will have a fight on hand,” said Smith.

Recently Mbenge, from the Smith Gymnasium, was named Boxing South Africa’s Boxer of the Year at the Boxing South Africa’s prestigious gala event.

Mbenge was a popular winner, having had an outstanding 2018 with wins over Diego Cruz for the vacant WBC International welterweight title and a seventh technical-knockout win against Diego Gabriel Chaves for the vacant IBO welterweight belt.

He then made a successful defence against Miguel Vazquez with a ninth-round stoppage win.

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