Phumelele Cafu Set for WBO Title Defense in South Africa; Gonzalez Clash Off
Phumelele Cafu will defend his WBO junior bantamweight title in South Africa in late May, abandoning plans for a fight with Roman Gonzalez after talks collapsed. Cafu, who holds a record of 11-0-3 with 8 KOs, aims to succeed in his home and possibly face Gonzalez later this year if he wins his upcoming match.
Phumelele Cafu is set to defend his WBO junior bantamweight title in late May in South Africa, marking his first title defense. While the exact date and opponent remain undisclosed, the fight will not feature renowned boxer Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez, as initial discussions for a matchup fell through. Cafu expressed disappointment but confirmed that he will proceed with his title defense amid this change.
Cafu, who has a record of 11 wins, 0 losses, and 3 draws (8 KOs), won the title by defeating Kosei Tanaka last October in Japan. This victory thwarted previous plans for a Gonzalez-Tanaka bout, prompting Gonzalez to seek a title opportunity against Cafu. The 26-year-old southpaw aims to secure a successful title defense this spring and might face Gonzalez later in the year if he wins.
Teiken Promotions, overseeing the event, has opted for Cafu to remain active while collaborating with local promoters Boxing5 for the show’s organization. As the article states, it is still uncertain if Gonzalez will take another fight or wait for Cafu’s outcome. Meanwhile, Gonzalez, who won against Rober Barrera last July, has had a sporadic fight schedule, but this title challenge against Cafu would have been significant for him.
Cafu looks forward to fighting at home after starting his career without ever leaving South Africa. Although a previous Gonzalez fight was anticipated to take place in Nicaragua, if Cafu prevails in May, an eventual clash could still occur later in the year. The 37-year-old champion was last seen in action during a 2022 title rematch but has the potential to challenge for Cafu’s title depending on the future circumstances.
Phumelele Cafu is on track to make his WBO title defense in late May in South Africa, following unsuccessful negotiations for a fight with Roman Gonzalez. The situation allows Cafu to fight at home while keeping the possibility of a future showdown with Gonzalez alive post-defense. Promoters are working to ensure Cafu remains active, anticipating further developments in his boxing journey.
Original Source: ringmagazine.com
