Libranza-Cafu, Espinas-Tshabalala Make Weight for IBF & WBO Regional Belts in South Africa
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 20 Aug 2023
Cafu (L) and Libranza (R) pose during Saturday's weighin.
Filipino warriors Genisis Libranza, Jesse Espinas and their South African opponents successfully made weight ahead of their Regional Title fights set for today, Sunday August 20, in the Land of Nelson Mandela, LIVE on the SuperSport Channel.
In the main event, Genisis "The Cobra" Libranza fights double world-ranked Phumelele Cafu for the IBF Super Flyweight International Belt, while southpaw Jesse Espinas engages rising-star Mpumelelo Tshabalala for the WBO Light Flyweight Inter-Continental Title.
During weigh-in, the experienced Libranza (20-2, 12 KO's) of Davao made 52.1 kilos (114.9 lbs), looking ready for action.
Libranza being interviewed by South African's Super Sports Channel.
Seconds later, his younger opponent Phumelele Cafu (8-0-3, 7 KO's), came-in at 51.9 kilos (114.4 pounds), appearing confident and strong.
Notably, the unbeaten 18-year-old Cafu is in the world rankings as WBA #13 and IBF #9 in the super flyweight division.
Libranza wants those rankings for himself, as well as that shinning red & golden belt. Will he get them?
CO-MAIN EVENT: ESPINAS AND TSHABALALA MADE WEIGHT FOR THE WBO INTER-CONTINENTAL 108 STRAP.
In the co-main event, the hard-swinging Pinoy "Little Giant" Jesse Espinas scaled-in a bit low at 48.4 kilos (106.7 lbs).
Meanwhile, his opponent Mpumelelo Tshabalala stepped-on at 48.7 Kgs (107.4 pounds), for their battle for the vacant WBO Light Flyweight (108 pounds) Inter-Continental Strap.
Tshabalala (L) and Espinas (R) are ready to rumble after making weight Saturday in South Africa.
Last October, Tshabalala (9-1, 5 KO's), who is the reigning South African 108-pound National champion, out-boxed and out-smarted Zamboangueño Melvin Manangquil (7-9-4, 1 KO), for a win by points.
And Tshabalala feels that he can do the same to Jesse Espinas (21-6, 12 KO's). Can he?
Careful. The talented South African might find out during battle that Espinas is a far more dangerous and capable enemy.
A native of Misamis Occidental in Southern Philippines, Jesse Espinas is not only a seasoned boxer, owner of decent firepower, but also a fighter of confidence, ring knowledge and focus.
Who will get the win, as well as the regional WBO strap and a place in the world rankings?
The exciting evening of boxing in the Rainbow Nation is a production of Ayanda Matiti of Xaba Promotions, chairman of the Boxing Promoters Association of South Africa.
Good luck to all, May the Best Men 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:
PIONEERING FILIPINO BOXERS TAKE THE SPOTLIGHT ON FIL-AM HISTORY MONTH (PART II)
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 17 Oct 2025MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS PRESENTS “COUNTDOWN TO THRILLA IN MANILA” AND “THRILLA IN MANILA 50”
Fri, 17 Oct 2025Rafael Espinoza-Arnold Khegai Featherweight World Title Showdown Set for Nov. 15 in San Luis Potosí, Mexico
Fri, 17 Oct 2025Irish welterweight contender Paddy Donovan Positioned for another World title shot
Fri, 17 Oct 2025DAY ONE: TEAM ASIA LAUNCHES TITLE DEFENCE WITH DOMINANT WHITEWASH AS AJ ‘STARBOY’ MANAS SHINES
Fri, 17 Oct 2025CONNOR MITCHELL SIGNS FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AND DREAMS OF SURPASSING HIS LEGENDARY FATHER
Fri, 17 Oct 2025CONWAY-LIDDARD YORK HALL WEIGH-IN RESULTS
Thu, 16 Oct 2025PR Run - Break Your Record on Oct. 19
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 16 Oct 2025PIONEERING FILIPINO BOXERS TAKE THE SPOTLIGHT ON FIL-AM HISTORY MONTH (PART I)
By Dong Secuya, Thu, 16 Oct 2025BOXING HALL OF FAME RELEASES FALL 2025 LETTER OF APPEAL SEEKING FUNDRAISING SUPPORT
Thu, 16 Oct 2025Mendoza bags bronze
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 16 Oct 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 20: MUHAMMAD ALI VS. JOE FRAZIER III ON OCTOBER 1, 1975 AT THE ARANETA COLISEUM
By Maloney L. Samaco, Thu, 16 Oct 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: History of Boxing in Reynosa, Tamaulipas
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Thu, 16 Oct 2025YORK HALL PRESS CONFERENCE: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AS CONWAY AND LIDDARD GET SET FOR HUGE DOMESTIC CLASH
Wed, 15 Oct 2025Unbeaten Super Featherweight Contender Andres Cortes Set for Return on October 18 Against Derlyn Hernandez-Geraldo in Long Beach
Wed, 15 Oct 2025