Maisa vs Mabuza set to enthral fight fans

Not since Jacob "Baby Jake" Matlala faced Masibulele "Hawk" Makepula in a world title fight has a local bout generated as much interest as that between Johannes Maisa and Silence Mabuza.

This 10-round eliminator for Johnny Armour's World Boxing Union title is the main supporting bout to Phillip "Time Bomb" Ndou's challenge for Jorge Rodrigo Barrios's WBU super-featherweight belt at Carnival City on July 21.

Such is its intrigue that it is already being hotly debated.

"Mabuza is a sublime talent with breathtaking skills," Terry Pettifer, publicist for Golden Gloves Promotions, says of the unbeaten (8-0) sensation.

National bantamweight champion Maisa is a brawler whose persistent attacks saw him post 15 straight wins before losing on points to Ghana's Joseph Agbeko while challenging for the All Africa title.

Maisa bounced back from that defeat by knocking out Wandisile Ntandazo in the third round to win the vacant national title in Cape Town last month.

Rodney Berman, boss of GGP, said that every time his organisation staged local bouts between rising stars, both winner and loser went on to greater things.

"This is the whole thing about such fights. They are good for South African boxing and the fighters. Nobody can accuse us of staging mismatches. Two excellent young guys get the opportunity to fight Armour," said Berman.

Matlala, who lost to Makepula for the vacant WBO flyweight title but went on to win the WBU junior fly crown he currently holds, said: "It is good to see two good young fighters meet.

"Mabuza and Maisa are brilliant fighters who can still pull their careers together even if they lose.

"This is a well-matched bout. Look at where Mabuza has been as an amateur," said trainer Nick Durandt, noting that Mabuza has had eight bouts to Maisa's 17, which could create the impression that he may be easy meat for Maisa.

While many may debate the good and bad points of the two, few will predict a winner.