WATCH: Malajika takes hard road to glory in Tokyo world title showdown
The South African veteran leaves his comfortable home base to challenge a fast-tracked local favourite for the WBC super flyweight belt.
Joburg South boxer Ricardo ‘Magic Man’ Malajika steps into hostile territory at Tokyo’s Toyota Arena on September 27 to fight Tomoya Tsuboi for the vacant WBC super flyweight world title.
The co-feature bout on a major card pits Malajika’s fight-tested power against Tsuboi’s precision.
On paper, matching a 19-fight veteran against an opponent with only three professional bouts looks like a distinct South African advantage.
@southern.courier Malajika takes hard road to glory in Tokyo world title showdown The South African veteran leaves his comfortable home base to challenge a fast-tracked local favourite for the WBC super flyweight belt. Full article on southerncourier.co.za
In reality, Tsuboi is a fast-tracked prodigy fighting in his home country.
First fight outside Emperors Palace
Critics have pointed out that Malajika’s entire career has played out inside the comfortable confines of Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, making the fight in Tokyo a massive challenge to overcome.
Malajika remains unfazed by the moment’s magnitude.
“As a fighter, you’ve got to feel and enjoy every moment of pressure,” says Malajika.
“To be a great champion, you’ve got to handle the pressure very well, which I think I am doing. The pressure will always be there no matter what you do in life – it’s how you handle it and how you come out of the situation that makes you a champion.”
Four decades of inspiration
The timing also aligns with a historic milestone.
The fight falls exactly four decades after Malajika’s manager, SA Boxing Hall of Famer Brian Mitchell, won his first world title at Sun City on September 27, 1986.
Having Mitchell in his corner offers direct inspiration for conquering a champion on foreign soil.
@southern.courier Joburg South boxer Ricardo ‘Magic Man’ Malajika steps into hostile territory at Tokyo’s Toyota Arena on September 27 to fight Tomoya Tsuboi for the vacant WBC super flyweight world title. The co-feature bout on a major card pits Malajika’s fight-tested power against Tsuboi’s precision. Full story on southerncourier.co.za
“God’s timing is the best. I just did my part, and altogether it works as one magical situation,” says Malajika.
Tsuboi has hometown backing, but Malajika brings experience, technical ability and the support of the Joburg South community.
