Career defining bout awaits Nkabiti

Professional boxer Herbert Nkabiti is scheduled to face his toughest bout when he faces experienced welterweight South African boxer Boitshepo Mandawe tomorrow (Wednesday). The welterweight bout will take place at the Emperor’s Palace in Johannesburg, South Africa.

 
Nkabiti’s last fight at the Emperor’s Palace was in 2009 when he defeated Johnny Koen. This week’s eight round bout has been described by Nkabiti’s trainer and manager, Larona Francis as the toughest fight in  the boxer’s career so far.

 
Francis said though they expect a tough fight, he expects Nkabiti to live up to the challenge.
“Mandawe has a long time on the sidelines while Herbert has momentum going into this fight. His style is almost similar to Herbert’s and this means that Nkabiti has to alter his usual style for the earlier rounds; power punching with fewer combinations for the first three rounds and from round four to six he has to punch with more combinations, lots of jabs and quick footwork,” said Francis.

 
“From round seven to eight he has to be more powerful again, apply less combinations, steady footwork and more precise punching,” Francis added. The trainer also revealed that they are working with former Philippines boxer and acclaimed trainer Manny Fernandez. Fernandez is widely regarded as one of the best technical trainers in the world.

 
The stakes will be high in the match since Nkabiti’s impressive undefeated streak will be on the line. A win for Nkabiti would all but certainly result in a title fight in the near future. The Golden Glove Promotions team will be present at the fight; they are responsible for setting up title fights and Nkabiti’s title fight aspirations could become a reality if he impresses them.
His opponent, Mandawe, is an experienced fighter in the welterweight division. He is a former South African welterweight champion who has been competing as a professional since 2007. Mandawe is currently ranked fifth in the welterweight division.

 
He is regarded as a resurgent fighter aiming to return to the top; he lost his welterweight title to  Tsiko Mulovhedzi in 2012. Despite his title loss he went on to win his next none title fight in 2013 against Master Mangaladzi. In total the South African has competed in 16 fights, winning 13 and losing three.

 
Nkabiti’s career record: W W W W W W W W D W
Mandawe’s career record: W W W W W W W W W L W L W W L W