By Ron Jackson
Boitshepo Mandawe and Tsiko Mulovhetsi clash for the vacant South African welterweight title on Friday night at the Nasrec Indoor Arena near Johannesburg. Boitshepo (10-2, 7 KOs) from Gauteng will be having his third crack at trying to win the welterweight title. In two closely fought contests with Chris van Heerden he lost the first fight in July 2009 on a unanimous decision and in the return match in January 2011 Van Heerden just managed to retain the title on a split decision. Van Heerden subsequently won the IBO welterweight belt and then relinquished the SA title Since his second setback against Van Heerden, Mandawe has looked good in scoring victories over Bhekimpilo Mlilo (ko 4) and Mthobisi Buthelezi (pts 10) in an elimination bout. Very little is known about Mulovhedzi from the Limpopo province, whose record is listed as 2-4-2, 2 KOs. In his last three fights he fought to draw with Amon Baloyi, stopped Sicelo Mzobe in four and fought to another draw with Mzizi Qwabe in November last year. The tournament is presented by Pat Molefe of Rainbow Promotions with seven bouts on the undercard.
