South African Arnel Lubisi, 7-5 (5), will get a second chance to win the World Boxing Federation (WBF) All Africa Bantamweight title on September 29 in Limpopo, South Africa.
Nicknamed “The Hope”, the 24-year-old came up short when he challenged then champion Sanele Magwaza last year, losing a decision.
Magwaza since moved on and became WBF Intercontinental champion at Super Bantamweight, so the title is now vacant and Lubisi is in line to fight for it again.
His opponent will be Tanzanian Hamidu Kwata, also 24 years of age, who brings a 13-6-2 (7) record to what will be his third trip to South Africa.
The man from Dar Es Salaam has previously lost fights in East London and Johannesburg to very good opponents in Yanga Sigqibo (15-1-1) and Lerato Dlamini (18-2), so he is hoping for third-time-lucky against “The Hope”. This shapes up to be a very interesting encounter between two young and ambitious boxers, taking part in a fight where the winner will move on to the next level and its back to the drawing-board for the loser.