When Moruti “Babyface” Mthalane enters the ring this afternoon, he will be doing it in honour of his childhood hero, Peter “Terror” Mathebula, the country’s first black boxer to win a world title.
He dethroned South Korean Kim Tae-shik by a split decision to lift the World Boxing Association flyweight crown at the Olympic Auditorium in Las Vegas in December 1980.
Mthalane will meet Ghanaian Isaac Quaye over 10 rounds in a flyweight bout at Ramosa Hall in Mohlakeng, Randfontein.
The retired Mathebula (65) will be a special guest at the event staged in his home town by promoter Sharnell Winlock of Victory Sports Productions.
Terror enjoyed a great deal of adoration for putting the country on the map with his accomplishment during the dark days of apartheid. He surrendered his crown to Argentinian Santos Laciar via a seventh-round knockout at Orlando Stadium in March 1981.
Mthalane is excited about his fight against Quaye, and he wants to win for the man he has always looked up to.
“I was only two when Bra Terror won the world title. I believe he was a great flyweight who demonstrated his talent by winning the world crown,” said Mthalane.
“It’s great for me to dedicate the fight to him as I am also fighting in the same weight class.”
Babyface said he was expecting a tough fight against the Ghanaian, who has won 30 times with 12 defeats and one draw in 43 bouts.
The KwaZulu-Natal-born fighter has registered a record of 33 wins and two defeats in 35 professional fights.
But it will be the presence of Mathebula himself at the showdown that will bring back fond memories of the golden era of boxing, when Terror ruled the ring with a powerful left jab that sent most opponents to the canvas. He was also a drawcard at bouts in which he featured on the bill.
Winlock believes her showdown today will honour Mathebula’s contribution to the sport of fisticuffs.
“It’s good to honour our heroes while they are still alive. We will help Terror financially,” Winlock said.
“With him being the main guest at the fight, even those who are not aware of his achievements will know him better.”
Winlock urged fans to support the show, as the venue of the tournament is a few streets from Mathebula’s house.
The main supporting fight on the bill is the Gauteng junior bantamweight title 10-round fight featuring Khayalethu Mbeje against Lebogang Mapitse.
The tournament starts at 1pm.
The rest of the bill:
Ronald Malindi vs Mfundise Ngema (bantamweight, eight rounds); Linda Ntshingila vs Andile Mabilisa (junior-middleweight, four rounds); Sanele Meduna vs Singalekha Nzanza (junior-featherweight, four rounds); Masixole Kwesa vs Andrew Gumbu (flyweight, four rounds); Sandile Kukama vs Thola Xhonywa (bantamweight, four rounds); Themba Ntuli vs Arnel Lubisi (junior bantamweight, eight rounds)