Philippines, 12 Nov 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Classy Helebe defends against SA No 1 contender

PhilBoxing.com


'Battle of the Bantams? - everything under the Cape Sun

CAPE TOWN, Western Cape - Enterprising Kalakoda Promotions have announced details of their next tournament headlined the 'Battle of the Bantams' at the Southern Sun Cape Sun Hotel on Friday, February 28.

In the feature bout, the reigning SA bantamweight champion Toto Helebe makes a title defence against SA No 1 contender Cebo 'Homicide' Ngema.

Promoter Steve Kalakoda said his organisation is determined to provide opportunities for SA boxers.

"There are many challenges facing boxing in this country but we are up to it," said Kalakoda. "We've now seen that some SA promoters have taken their business abroad but we've chosen to make things happen in South Africa.

"This will be our third Cape Town event in four months and we have shown sponsors that we can be vibrant, enterprising and entrepreneurial. Our live stream events are a first for South Africa, and fans around the world will be able to follow the action again on February 28. We have had feedback from expats around the world.

?We have attracted sponsors like television channel eTV and soon we?ll be staging events in other centres in South Africa and neighbouring countries."

The Gugulethu-based Helebe won the title (from Phumzile Matyhila) in 2012 in East London and just three months prior to that conquest he won a points decision over six rounds to Ngema at Cape Town's Good Hope Centre.

Ngema's mentor, Thabiso Koetle, recently recalled that his charge was hard done by on that occasion. "The home crowd knew that day that their boy was soundly beaten and it just confirmed my suspicions that an outsider never wins in Cape Town," said Koetle. "This time we'll take the fight away from the judges by knocking out the champion.

"I'm sure Toto's conscience is still bothering him because he knows that he was beaten that day."

Teach Madubedube, Helebe's coach, said the February 28 fight was a good time to put the record straight. "I've heard for some time now about the sour grapes in the Ngema camp but I can't see what the fuss is about," said Koetle. "Helebe is all class and in his two title defences he's won great praise from the boxing media.

"Ngema is a one-sided boxer, unlike Toto who is an allrounder. We're so well prepared for whatever Ngema throws at us."
The main supporting bout is for the vacant Western Cape junior lightweight title between Simphiwe 'Ntsimbi' Tom and Lwandile Gugushe. Tom has already ran up two failed attempts for the SA title in the past three years and presently finds himself at No 10 on the national rankings.

Gugushe lost a SA title bout last September and slots in at No 4 on the latest SA rankings.

There are five other four-rounders on the cards at the indoor venue in the Cape Town city centre.

Amy de Morney, spokesperson for sponsors Filcon Group South Africa, said her company was heartened by Kalakoda Promotions' efforts to sustain boxing in the Mother City.

"I, like many of my staff, grew up in the township and boxing often rescued the lives of youth who were exposed to unsocial behaviour," said De Morney. "It is said the see that boxing has disappeared in so many centres but we're pleased to assist anyone who wants to keep it alive.

"It wasn't a difficult decision to support this tournament."




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • The Hammer Returns to the Fray With a Bang
    By Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro, , Wed, 12 Nov 2025
  • Monzón and Coggi are new Argentina Boxing Hall of Fame members
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 12 Nov 2025
  • GM Antonio moves to 2nd in Spain chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 12 Nov 2025
  • Teflon Promotion to host Re:Play Volume 1 on November 22nd at The Alan Horwitz “Sixth Man” Center
    , Wed, 12 Nov 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 10 NOVEMBER 2025
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 12 Nov 2025
  • FLORES AND CORDINA PREDICT KO NIGHT IN STOCKTON
    , Wed, 12 Nov 2025
  • Lightweight Prospect Charley Leigh Brown Added To Hunter Vs Frankham Card 5th December
    , Wed, 12 Nov 2025
  • Mavericks' Cooper Flagg becomes the second 18-year-old player to score 25 points
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 12 Nov 2025
  • Sit back and enjoy, "Bata' Reyes book is out
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 12 Nov 2025
  • 'THE RING: UNFINISHED BUSINESS': CHRIS EUBANK JR-CONOR BENN II FIGHT WEEK LAUNCHES WITH INTENSE LONDON FACE-OFF
    , Tue, 11 Nov 2025
  • OKC Thunder Quickly Grabs League Lead; Competition Performing Per Formchart
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 11 Nov 2025
  • Reyes rules 17th edition of Kamatyas FIDE Rated Rapid Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 11 Nov 2025
  • SPORTS RECORDS 11: NONITO DONAIRE'S TWO KNOCKOUTS OF THE YEAR
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Tue, 11 Nov 2025
  • HIGHLAND BOXING PROMOTIONS OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON JEFF MAYWEATHER'S POSTPONED THAILAND VISIT
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 11 Nov 2025
  • Robert Racasa Finishes 9th in World Memory Championships
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 11 Nov 2025
  • Luisito “Lindol” Espinosa and the Art of Playing Boxing
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 11 Nov 2025
  • Island Time: Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Junior Middleweight World Title Unification Showdown Set For January 31 at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan
    , Tue, 11 Nov 2025
  • Kyle Lowry becomes the 12th player with 20 seasons or more in the NBA history
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 11 Nov 2025
  • Donaire awaits WBA decision
    By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 10 Nov 2025
  • Joel “lethal” Lewis inks Managerial deal with Dragon Fire Boxing
    , Mon, 10 Nov 2025
  • Meet Jayr Raquinel: The Filipino Sensation Taking the Super Flyweight Division by Storm
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 10 Nov 2025
  • NONITO DONAIRE HOPES TO BECOME TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION AGAIN
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Sun, 09 Nov 2025
  • Astrobio loses by TKO in 7th round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 09 Nov 2025
  • UNDEFEATED KNOCKOUT MONSTER VERGIL ORTIZ JR. DESTROYS ERICKSON LUBIN IN SECOND-ROUND
    , Sun, 09 Nov 2025
  • Manny Pacquiao Arrives in LA to Oversee Son Jimuel's Highly Anticipated Pro Debut
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 09 Nov 2025




  •  



     
    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
    © 2025 philboxing.com.