Philippine mini-flyweight champ Elmer Gejon will attempt to become the country’s next regional title-holder when he vies for the vacant World Boxing Council International miniflyweight crown against South Africa’s top prospect Tshepo Lefele on June 24 in South Africa.
The busy-punching Gejon, a protege of boxing impresario Wakee Salud, has been tapped to vie for the title by South Africa’s top promoter Branco Milenkovic of the Branco Sports Productions, which promotes Lefele.
Prospect of the Year 2004 nominee Lefele, the only man who boasts a victory over SA junior flyweight champion Muvhuso Nedzanani on his impressive boxing resume, had signed an exclusive two-year agreement with BSP.
” I believe Tshepo is the hottest mini-flyweight in the country right now,” said Baby Jake Matlala, Milenkovic’s partner in promoting the event.
Lefele (12 fights, 11 wins, 1 loss) became a boxing celebrity in South Africa starting on April 8 when he dropped the highly experienced Wele Maqolo three times before finally stopping the 49-fight veteran.
Gejon, however, maintains that he is in great form and should be ready to take on Lefele at the latter’s backyard.
To prepare for his first crack at the regional title, Gejon is sparring against his undefeated younger brother and WBA no. 1 contender Yukka “Nice Guy” Gejon, as well as prospects Gabriel Pumar and Gilbert De la Torre.
“We assure the South African community that come June 24, they will witness one hell of a fight,” expressed Gejon’s trainer Brix Flores in an interview yesterday.
