| |
|
STABLEMATES TO CLASH IN IBF TITLE FIGHT
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 11 Jan 2009
In an unusual twist two talented stablemates Cassius Baloyi (36-3-1, 19 KO?s) and Malcolm Klassen (23-4-2, 14 KO?s) will battle each other in a highly anticipated IBF junior lightweight title fight to be staged in April in South Africa.
Several sites have expressed interest in hosting the fight but promoters Branco Milenkovic and Jacob Matlala are biding their time and looking to pick the best offer.
Matala said ?the fight has generated huge interest in South African boxing circles and rightly so because it is not often that two South African fighters clash for a legitimate world title.?
Boxing writer Mesuli Zifo notes that the fight will make history of sorts as it will be the first time even in local boxing circles that stablemates face each other while training under one trainer, Nick Durandt.
Durandt had initially refused to let Baloyi and Klassen fight hoping that the former promoter of Baloyi, Rodney Berman would arrange for his fighter go after another world title.
But when that didn?t happen, Zifo reported that Baloyi ?got so agitated he dumped Berman for Milenkovic?, the WBC International Trainer of the Year and agreed to face Klassen as the IBF called for a purse bid.
Durandt plans to remain in Baloyi?s corner for the fight while Klassen will be handled by Gert Strydom who worked Klassen?s corner when he won the title by defeating Australia ?s Gary St. Clair in 2006.
Klassen was at one time being considered by Top Rank promoter Bob Arum as among possible opponents for Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao.
Milenkovic said that the winner of the Baloyi-Klassen showdown is likely to be involved in a unification bout against WBO champion Nicky Cook of Britain or WBC champion Humberto Soto of Mexico.
Baloyi won the IBF crown with a win over Mzonke Fana last April while Klassen pulverized veteran Mexican Manuel ?Mantecas? Medina in two rounds last August.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
United States Earns Four Gold Medals on Final Day of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
, Mon, 16 Mar 2026Mexico wins 2 bronze medals at World Boxing Futures Cup in Bangkok
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 16 Mar 2026Arnold Barboza Jr. Shines in Welterweight Debut, Defeats Kenneth Sims Jr. to Claim Wbo Global Welterweight Title
, Sun, 15 Mar 2026WBC top contender Canoy returns to Davao with Unanimous Decision Victory
, Sun, 15 Mar 2026John Randall Peralta: The Future of the Philippine Chess
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 15 Mar 2026Alvin “Felemon” Dologuin Claims Win in Brico Santig’s Show in Thailand (PHOTOS)
, Sun, 15 Mar 2026Donaire's Yokohama Showdown: Can our Filipino Flash Outshine the Rising Sun? (WEIGH-IN PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Mar 2026USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Wins Five of Eight Bouts on Day Six
, Sun, 15 Mar 2026Shai Gilgeous-Alexander surpasses Chamberlain's record of 127 consecutive NBA games with 20 points or more
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 15 Mar 2026World-Ranked Light Heavyweight Najee Lopez Stops Mexican Terminator Manuel Gallego in Eight Classic Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
, Sat, 14 Mar 2026Weigh-in from Highland Boxing in Bangkok, Thailand; Dologuin in Action (WEIGH-IN PHOTOS)
, Sat, 14 Mar 2026Oval rules 35th CityHeights slugfest
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026Sims vs. Barboza and Dickens vs. Cacace Headline Doubleheader on DAZN
By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026Rubilen Amit sustains amazing run of victories at WPBA Pool in New York
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026Weights Set in Anaheim: Barboza Jr. and Sims Jr. Ready for Welterweight War; Collazo Defends Titles
, Sat, 14 Mar 2026Rising Young Star Yoenis Tellez Takes on Top Contender Brian Mendoza in New Co-Main Event of PBC Pay-per-View Event Available on Prime Video Saturday, March 28
, Sat, 14 Mar 2026Five USA Boxers Qualify for Medal Rounds on Day Six of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
, Sat, 14 Mar 2026Rubilen Amit off to hot start in her WPBA debut
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026Pavel Sosulin stops Victor Nagbe to remain unbeaten at IBA Pro 15 in Saint Petersburg
, Fri, 13 Mar 2026Nicaraguan Boxing Commission hold Annual Awards to 2025 winners
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 13 Mar 2026BARBOZA JR. VS. SIMS JR. FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
, Fri, 13 Mar 2026Skye Nicolson Headlines Huge Matchroom Boxing Homecoming in Melbourne as New Kayo Sports TV Era Begins on April 29
, Fri, 13 Mar 2026Five Boxers Advance on Day Five of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
, Fri, 13 Mar 2026Canoy to fight Balidio on March 14 in Matanao
By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 13 Mar 2026Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Lopez vs. Gallegos’ at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida, Tomorrow Night at 8 pm EDT
, Fri, 13 Mar 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
