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Philippines, 22 Jan 2026 |
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Libranza-Cafu, Espinas-Tshabalala Make Weight for IBF & WBO Regional Belts in South Africa By Carlos Costa PhilBoxing.com Sun, 20 Aug 2023  Cafu (L) and Libranza (R) pose during Saturday's weighin. Filipino warriors Genisis Libranza, Jesse Espinas and their South African opponents successfully made weight ahead of their Regional Title fights set for today, Sunday August 20, in the Land of Nelson Mandela, LIVE on the SuperSport Channel. In the main event, Genisis "The Cobra" Libranza fights double world-ranked Phumelele Cafu for the IBF Super Flyweight International Belt, while southpaw Jesse Espinas engages rising-star Mpumelelo Tshabalala for the WBO Light Flyweight Inter-Continental Title. During weigh-in, the experienced Libranza (20-2, 12 KO's) of Davao made 52.1 kilos (114.9 lbs), looking ready for action.  Libranza being interviewed by South African's Super Sports Channel. Seconds later, his younger opponent Phumelele Cafu (8-0-3, 7 KO's), came-in at 51.9 kilos (114.4 pounds), appearing confident and strong. Notably, the unbeaten 18-year-old Cafu is in the world rankings as WBA #13 and IBF #9 in the super flyweight division. Libranza wants those rankings for himself, as well as that shinning red & golden belt. Will he get them? CO-MAIN EVENT: ESPINAS AND TSHABALALA MADE WEIGHT FOR THE WBO INTER-CONTINENTAL 108 STRAP. In the co-main event, the hard-swinging Pinoy "Little Giant" Jesse Espinas scaled-in a bit low at 48.4 kilos (106.7 lbs). Meanwhile, his opponent Mpumelelo Tshabalala stepped-on at 48.7 Kgs (107.4 pounds), for their battle for the vacant WBO Light Flyweight (108 pounds) Inter-Continental Strap.  Tshabalala (L) and Espinas (R) are ready to rumble after making weight Saturday in South Africa. Last October, Tshabalala (9-1, 5 KO's), who is the reigning South African 108-pound National champion, out-boxed and out-smarted Zamboangueño Melvin Manangquil (7-9-4, 1 KO), for a win by points. And Tshabalala feels that he can do the same to Jesse Espinas (21-6, 12 KO's). Can he? Careful. The talented South African might find out during battle that Espinas is a far more dangerous and capable enemy. A native of Misamis Occidental in Southern Philippines, Jesse Espinas is not only a seasoned boxer, owner of decent firepower, but also a fighter of confidence, ring knowledge and focus. Who will get the win, as well as the regional WBO strap and a place in the world rankings? The exciting evening of boxing in the Rainbow Nation is a production of Ayanda Matiti of Xaba Promotions, chairman of the Boxing Promoters Association of South Africa. Good luck to all, May the Best Men Win! The author, boxing writer Carlos Costa, can be reached at carlos@philboxing.com and WhatsApp +639184538152. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.  |
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