Kagiso Bagwasi’s history of winning on foreign soil will face its sternest examination when he challenges unbeaten Georgian Givi Todua
BONGANI MALUNGA
Botswana’s Kagiso “Reptile” Bagwasi will have to summon his proven ability to spoil homecoming parties when he challenges unbeaten Georgian Givi Todua for the World Boxing Federation (WBF) World Middleweight title in Tbilisi, Georgia, on December 11.
The world title assignment presents Bagwasi with familiar territory in one sense, fighting away from home. However, Tbilisi represents a considerable step up from the South African venues where the Motswana has previously built a reputation as a dangerous traveller.
The WBF currently lists Bagwasi’s professional record at seven victories and one defeat, with four wins coming by stoppage. Todua, meanwhile, boasts a perfect 7-0 record, with five knockouts, giving the Georgian a 71 percent stoppage rate.
IMPOSING RECORD
Todua’s record is made more imposing by what he has achieved in Tbilisi, the 21-year-old captured the WBF Interim World Middleweight crown by stopping Thailand’s Phumiritdet Chonlathondamrongkhun and retained his position in May this year with an emphatic second-round stoppage of experienced Filipino Elmo Traya. Todua improved to 7-0 with five stoppages after the latter victory.
Home advantage therefore goes beyond crowd support. Todua has already turned Tbilisi into a productive hunting ground for championship victories.
BAGWASI’S TRAVEL RECORD
Bagwasi, who fights under the DTCB Boxing Club under renowned boxing coach Thebe Setlalekgosi, has compelling evidence that travelling does not necessarily diminish him. In March 2025, he travelled to Sandton, South Africa and demolished previously unbeaten South African Almighty Moyo by first-round TKO. Three months later, he returned to Sandton and produced arguably his finest professional performance, knocking out Boyd Allen in the sixth round to claim the IBO All-Africa junior-middleweight title.
His South African record stretches further back as Bagwasi beat Tankiso Qelo in Polokwane in 2018 and later defeated DR Congo’s Kiabua Mafisi on points at Sibaya Casino in KwaZulu-Natal.
That travelling record is not spotless as Bagwasi’s unbeaten professional run was finally halted at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg last November when South Africa’s Roarke Knapp overwhelmed him before his corner withdrew him after four rounds. Knapp’s body attacks and sustained pressure gradually drained the Motswana before the stoppage.
CONFIDENCE IN BOTSWANA BOXING
Bagwasi has featured in several bouts promoted by Scud Missile Promotions, and the stable’s promoter, Thuso “Scud” Khubamang, believes the boxer’s ascent from locally staged fight nights to a European title bout reflects growing international confidence in Botswana’s boxing profile and capabilities.
“He is well prepared and will be in the best possible shape for his December bout. Last year he won an IBO title fight which helped him gain good global rankings, the ratings enabled him to be on the radar of the WBF. We are grateful as a nation that he is in a WBF approved fight in an international setting. We want to see local boxing commanding the same global attention as athletics, we believe we are on the right path,” Khubamang told Gazette Sport.