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.
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