Espinas Battles Tshabalala for WBO Inter-Continental Title in South Africa
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 03 Aug 2023
Filipino warrior Jesse Espinas will have the thrilling honor of flying to South Africa to headline in a formal, black-tie boxing show, honoring the life of humanity hero Nelson Mandela.
The annual event, organized by South Africa's Xaba Promotions, celebrates Nelson Mandela as a boxer.
This year's excitement showcases the title battle of experienced Filipino Jesse Espinas against South African Mpumelelo Tshabalala for the vacant WBO Light Flyweight Inter-Continental Title on Sunday, August 20, live on the Super Sports Channel.
The rumble will mark the second time that Tshabala fights a Pinoy fighter. Last October the reigning South African 108-pound National champ out-boxed Zamboangueño Melvin Manangquil (7-9-4, 1 KO) for a win by points.
Espinas (21-6, 12 KO's), without a doubt, will be a far more difficult opponent.
The native of Oroquieta City in Misamis Occidental, is not only a seasoned boxer owner of decent firepower, but also a fighter of confidence and focus.
It will be Espinas' 4th time fighting outside of his beloved Pinoyland, his prior three outings were hot knockout wins in Thailand.
Will Jesse Espinas score another stoppage win, this time in South Africa, similar to the knockout win that his compatriot Jar Raquinel scored in the Rainbow Nation?
Or will the local boy Mpumelelo Tshabalala (9-1, 5 KO's) of Gauteng, South Africa, control and out-smart the Pinoy Jesse Espinas in the same way he did to Manangquil, to score the biggest win of his 6-year pro boxing career?
"Mpumelelo Tshabalala vs Jesse Espinas" set for Sunday, August 20, in South Africa is for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental belt, with the winner being considered for a place in the world rankings.
The boxing event, honoring the beloved Nobel Peace Laureate Nelson Mandela, "Madiba" as a Boxer, is a production of Ayanda Matiti of Xaba Promotions, the chairman of the Boxing Promoters Association of South Africa.
May the Best Man Win!
The author, boxing writer Carlos Costa, can be reached at carlos@philboxing.com and whatsapp +639184538152.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
SPORTS SHORTS 285: AMIR KHAN ACCEPTS OFFER FOR AN EXHIBITION MATCH WITH MANNY PACQUIAO
By Maloney L. Samaco, Mon, 25 Nov 2024FOGOUM, TOSHIHIKO, KIM, RATTAWUT, RUF, CHUTINAN IN ACTION IN HIGHLAND’S EXCITING “SHOWDOWN” NOV 28 AT SPACEPLUS IN BANGKOK, THAILAND
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 25 Nov 2024Gil Robiego Co Elected New APPBRO President for 2025-2027
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 25 Nov 2024Garma wins, climbs to 8th place
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 25 Nov 2024Davao futsal scores 1st win
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 25 Nov 2024Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat is the new FIDE World Senior 65 over category Rapid Champion
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Thunderdome 48 - Jude Grant vs Fano Kori
Sun, 24 Nov 2024World Boxing backs plan to create a new Confederation in Asia
Sun, 24 Nov 2024The message is clear – Asian Boxing Confederation remains united with the IBA
Sun, 24 Nov 2024OSCAR DE LA HOYA FOUNDATION HOSTS 25TH ANNUAL TURKEY GIVEAWAY FOR EAST LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Life vs. Death: The Ultimate Ringside Showdown Immortalized in Pierce Egan’s Boxiana
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 23 Nov 2024SPORTS SHORTS 284: TEAM MARK MAGSAYO CONFIRMS RETURN TO THE RING ON DECEMBER 14
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sat, 23 Nov 2024RJP Boxing promotes in Bucana on Dec. 17
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Good Prospects at Minimumweight, Light Fly, Super Bantam and Super Feather in 2025
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma is the new World Senior Blitz champion; Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat takes the bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 23 Nov 2024