BSA hails Malajika for winning sought-after WBC world title
Boxing South Africa (BSA) has congratulated newly crowned WBC junior bantamweight champion Ricardo “Magic Man” Malajika.
The reigning IBO champ achieved that feat after defeating favoured Tomoya Tsuboi by a split points decision in Japan on Sunday.
American judges Nathan Palmer and David Sutherland scored the fight 116-112 and 115-113 for Malajika, while Juan Carlos Pelayo from Mexico had Tsuboi winning by 115-113.
Malajika’s corner was manned by accomplished trainer Manny Fernandes, who was assisted by Malajika’s manager Brian Mitchell.
In Malajika winning the most sought-after green and gold WBC belt, it means Fernandes and Mitchell have now produced two such champions in the same year. Their other charge, Siyakholwa “One Way” Kuse, won the mini flyweight belt from Filipino Melvin Jerusalem at Emperors Palace in March.
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman was ring-side guest for Golden Gloves bosses, director Nivi Grogor and CEO Rodney Berman.
Malajika silenced local experts, who had tipped Tsuboi to defeat the South African. Malajika improved to 18 wins with 12 knockouts against two defeats, while Tsuboi tasted defeat in his fourth fight.
In just two months, South Africa has celebrated two WBC World Champions, which is truly a proud moment for our sport and our nation. Congratulations, Champion. We are immensely proud of you and your team— Ayanda Zamantungwa, BSA chair
In her congratulatory statement to Malajika, BSA chairperson Ayanda Zamantungwa wrote: “On behalf of Boxing South Africa, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Ricardo ‘Magic Man’ Malajika on becoming our new WBC junior bantamweight World Champion.
“Claiming the WBC title in Tokyo, against home favourite Tomoya Tsuboi, is a tremendous achievement, and Ricardo has now etched his name in South African boxing history as the sixth South African to claim the prestigious WBC green and gold belt.
“In just two months, South Africa has celebrated two WBC World Champions, which is truly a proud moment for our sport and our nation. Congratulations, Champion. We are immensely proud of you and your team.”
BSA board further congratulated Fernandes, Mitchell and the entire team on the significant achievement.
Malajika became the sixth South African boxer to rule in the WBC − others being:
Ferreira, the IBO junior lightweight holder, became the first female boxer from Africa to win the WBC belt − the first from SA to unify boxing titles − after defeating Canada’s Caroline Veyre in Atlanta last month.
Malajika had assured local fans not to worry that the Japanese three-fight novice was favoured to win the vacant WBC junior bantamweight title. ”Stay tuned.. the Magic Man is ready to play some of his magic,“ he said last week.
Malajika had everything going for him − longevity, big fight experience, height, reach, and power.
Malajika, Fernandes, and the boxer’s younger brother − WBA Pan African and IBO Youth bantamweight holder − Charlton “Baby Pain” Malajika, spent a week in Japan before their fight.
“When he [Charlton] is around, I don’t need no one else,” said Malajika of his brother, whose fight against Tomoya will be his first outside SA as a professional boxer. “Us together is one great team. I feel like I can conquer. It’s all I need. ”