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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.
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