Philippines, 12 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:

  • STUNNING SMITH DESTROYS MATIAS TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION
    , Sun, 11 Jan 2026
  • Former WBC champ Bazooka Limón hospitalized in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 11 Jan 2026
  • Zuffa Boxing set to unveil its maiden card on January 23 in Las Vegas
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ‘I’ve got an army and army’s move in numbers’ Owen Corrigan returns for Light Heavyweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • Pasalamat Festival Chess Tour 2026 to Push Through
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS & TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO PRESENT CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 - VERONA, NY
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ELIF TURHAN SIGNS NEW MULTI-FIGHT DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING – FIRST IBF WORLD TITLE DEFENCE DATE SET FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 31
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • Driving Philippine Tennis Forward: Jean Henri Lhuillier Champions the 2026 Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Tour
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ‘I’m ready to make some noise’ Billy Quinncroft returns for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Dableo and Laylo's Team to Compete in Bulacan
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Sanman Boxing present Yeerken vs. Carcedo WBA Asia South Title Clash in General Santos City on Feb 9
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Hardstone adds 2 more title fights on January 26
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Panamerican Boxing Confederation Partners with Xempower for Digital and AI-Driven Transformation
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • IGMOB TALENT GROUP Launches www.IGMOBTalent.com to Represent Fighters, Entertainers, and Rising Talent Across Sports & Media
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • SEAG Davao-based athletes eye International stints
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Canoy banking on his ring experience against Kuse
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • Undefeated Kansas Middleweight Prospect Marco “El Tiburon” Romero finished 2025 with 7th triumphs, all by knockout, & 11-0 record
    , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • Kinetix Sports aims for bigger events in 2026
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • 2026 Santa Maria Town Fiesta Chess Challenge on January 26
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • World Ranked Heavyweight Dainier Pero Headlines on Saturday, January 17th at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
    , Wed, 07 Jan 2026
  • Jahyae Brown to Battle Arnold Gonzalez in Exciting Co-Feature on Thursday, January 15th at The War Memorial in Trenton, New Jersey
    , Wed, 07 Jan 2026
  • Hendri Cedeno Seeks Monumental Victory Against Alfredo Santiago for NABO Title January 10 at Barclays Center
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Kingsley Ibeh learned from his Loss 5 years ago to Jared Anderson
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Unified World Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez returning to Corpus Christi…as a promoter!
    , Tue, 06 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.