WBO super flyweight champion Phumelela Cafu is still on the lookout for an opponent for his first title defence.
The 26-year-old had looked like he would face mandatory challenger and modern day great Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez. In an article published by The Ring earlier this month Cafu’s manager and trainer Colin Nathan certainly gave hope to the possibility that the fight may take place.
“There have been rumours that we will face Gonzalez as a mandatory challenger. I can say that we are at an advanced stage of negotiations but it’s not 100% done.”
However, it was revealed today by Nathan on SA Boxing Talk that in fact Cafu will not be facing the multi-weight world champion.
“For whatever reason the ‘Chocolatito’- Cafu fight could not materialise.”
The bad news was followed by some good for the champion who stunned four-weight world champion Kosei Tanaka to take the WBO 115lbs belt in October last year. Cafu’s first defence of the title will see him return home to South Africa in May.
“It feels very amazing,” Cafu told SA Boxing Talk. “Every South African in the venue will be there to support me so that’s kind of very awesome. It’s a great feeling, I can’t even explain it.”
Eastern Cape, Westen Cape and Gauteng are all being looked at as a possible hosts for the fight but the other remaining box to tick off will be who Cafuy fights.
“The WBO has strict policies regarding their new challengers, so it will be someone credible,” Nathan said.
In the WBO’s February rankings ‘Chocolatito’ is at number one, Tanaka at two, Francisco Rodriguez Jr is at three while Andrew Moloney and Ryusei Kawaura round off the top five.
“I know the dates when I’m fighting but I’m still not sure where I’m fighting. I’d say in the next two or three weeks it would be announced,” Cafu said.
“I don’t care who I’m fighting all I know is I’ll come out victorious. I want to fight the big names in the division like Jesse Rodriguez and Fernando Martinez. I was looking forward to fighting Gonzalez but unfortunately for me that didn’t come through. I don’t know why. I feel like he’s ducking.”
