Philippines, 28 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Espinas Battles Tshabalala for WBO Inter-Continental Title in South Africa


PhilBoxing.com




Filipino warrior Jesse Espinas will have the thrilling honor of flying to South Africa to headline in a formal, black-tie boxing show, honoring the life of humanity hero Nelson Mandela.

The annual event, organized by South Africa's Xaba Promotions, celebrates Nelson Mandela as a boxer.

This year's excitement showcases the title battle of experienced Filipino Jesse Espinas against South African Mpumelelo Tshabalala for the vacant WBO Light Flyweight Inter-Continental Title on Sunday, August 20, live on the Super Sports Channel.

The rumble will mark the second time that Tshabala fights a Pinoy fighter. Last October the reigning South African 108-pound National champ out-boxed Zamboangueño Melvin Manangquil (7-9-4, 1 KO) for a win by points.

Espinas (21-6, 12 KO's), without a doubt, will be a far more difficult opponent.

The native of Oroquieta City in Misamis Occidental, is not only a seasoned boxer owner of decent firepower, but also a fighter of confidence and focus.

It will be Espinas' 4th time fighting outside of his beloved Pinoyland, his prior three outings were hot knockout wins in Thailand.

Will Jesse Espinas score another stoppage win, this time in South Africa, similar to the knockout win that his compatriot Jar Raquinel scored in the Rainbow Nation?

Or will the local boy Mpumelelo Tshabalala (9-1, 5 KO's) of Gauteng, South Africa, control and out-smart the Pinoy Jesse Espinas in the same way he did to Manangquil, to score the biggest win of his 6-year pro boxing career?

"Mpumelelo Tshabalala vs Jesse Espinas" set for Sunday, August 20, in South Africa is for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental belt, with the winner being considered for a place in the world rankings.

The boxing event, honoring the beloved Nobel Peace Laureate Nelson Mandela, "Madiba" as a Boxer, is a production of Ayanda Matiti of Xaba Promotions, the chairman of the Boxing Promoters Association of South Africa.

May the Best Man 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.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • TEOFIMO LOPEZ AND SHAKUR STEVENSON FACE-OFF AT KNICKS GAME AS COUNTDOWN TO ‘THE RING 6’ ON SATURDAY BEGINS
    , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Davao to sponsor P500K in IRONMAN 70.3
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • JOSH KELLY SOUNDS WARNING TO WORLD TITLE RIVAL BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV AS HE TARGETS HISTORIC NORTH EAST HOMECOMING
    , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Gallegos and Alvarez Shine Bright with Knockout Wins at Fontainebleau Las Vegas
    , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Pedro Carrasco Remembered in Spain 25 Years After His Passing
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Gensan Outdoor, Gensan Educator support MFPI 5th Mindanao Summit in Mt. Apo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Vitor vs Subkhankulov, Tapales vs Kalsynov in Double IBF Asia Title Fights in Moscow on Feb. 13
    By Dong Secuya, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • “It’s about owning my own journey” Jeanine Brown retuns for Title Clash March 13 – Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • Long Boxing Journey settles in New Bedford, MA for Junior Featherweight prospect Joshua Alvarado
    , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • Steph Curry is 19th leading scorer of the NBA
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • Ocum is WBC Asian lightweight champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • Kingsley “The Black Lion” Ibeh Believes he will stop Jarrell Miller this Saturday at Madison Square Garden
    , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • David Ray Sarmiento finishes second place in Cologne January Blitz 2026.
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 25 JANUARY 2026: Raymund Muratalla Edges Andy Cruz; Walsh Outpoints Ocampo
    By Eric Armit, , Mon, 26 Jan 2026
  • MFPI 5th Mindanao Summit at Mt. Apo on February 19-22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 26 Jan 2026
  • OLYMPIC BOXING 8: 1948 OLYMPICS AT LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Mon, 26 Jan 2026
  • Golden Gloves Launches on Meta Quest Store, Establishing the First Official Esports Competition Pathway for Amateur Boxing
    , Mon, 26 Jan 2026
  • Andy Cruz vs Raymond Muratalla: Who Will Execute?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Libranza to fight undefeated Tso for IBF Pan Pacific bantam
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Filipino Cue Artist RJ Bautista Ready to Shine at the Las Vegas Open 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • MURATALLA VS. CRUZ WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER
    , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels
    , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Ballesteros not yet ready against Ocum
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Chocolatito Gonzalez to undergo shoulder surgery
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • NM Nika finishes Sixth in Czech Republic Blitz chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.