MATHEBULA GETS ANOTHER CRACK AT IBF TITLE
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 15 Oct 2013
Jeffrey "The Mongoose" Mathebula, the former IBF and WBC International world champion, will get another crack at the IBF junior-featherweight throne on December 21 in Alicante, Spain.
Well known promoter Branco Milenkovic who has promoted Mathebula for seven years, informed the Manila Standard that Mathebula who lost his WBO and IBF super bantamweight titles to Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire on July 7, 2012, said his fighter will challenge IBF junior-featherweight champion Kiko "Le Sensacion" Martinez in a fight that will be Mathebula's eighth to be sanctioned by the New Jersey-based sanctioning body.
Milenkovic said "Loyalty pays."
South Africa?s Sowetan newspaper noted that Milenkovic was ?the only local promoter to have controlled five IBF world champions at the same time, Milenkovic, who has been involved in 64 IBF championships in the past six years, described the upcoming bout between Mathebula and Martinez as a perfect match, based on their fight records.
Milenkovic said ?They both have 33 fights, of which they have lost four. "The only difference is that Jeffrey has two draws."
The 34 year old Mathebula, a former Olympian with 27 wins and six clean knockouts from 14 short-route wins while the 27 year old Martinez, a three-time European champion, also has six KOs in 21 stoppage victories from 29 wins.
Mathebula has fought in two unification bouts. In April 2009 he faced Celestino Caballero for the IBF and WBA titles in Panama in which Mathebula lost by a questionable split decision. He fought Donaire at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles in August 2012 and fought gallantly despite having his jaw broken and lost a unanimous twelve round decision.
Photo: Mathebula (L) and Melinkovic.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
WBC lifts the suspension imposed on Ryan Garcia
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 05 Nov 2025Siargao pug bags silver in Batang Pinoy
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 05 Nov 2025Marcial-Colmenares Middleweight Bout Steals Show at Thrilla in Manila 50th Year (Part 2 of 2)
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 05 Nov 2025Brown vs. Seldin for the WBA Super Lightweight Interim World Title
Wed, 05 Nov 2025FRANCIS LAFRENIÈRE MAKES COMEBACK NOV 29
Wed, 05 Nov 2025OLYMPIC MEDALIST YUBERJEN MARTINEZ INKS WITH ALL STAR BOXING
Wed, 05 Nov 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 November 2025: Mayer Outpoints Spencer to Unify 154 Belts; Buatsi's Controversial Win Over Parker; Pero Outpoints Thompson; Thrilla in Manila at 50 Results
By Eric Armit, Tue, 04 Nov 2025Marcial-Colmenares Middleweight Bout Steals Show at Thrilla in Manila 50th Year (Part 1)
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 04 Nov 2025MATCHROOM BOXING ANNOUNCES HISTORIC ‘LIVE FROM GHANA’ EVENT FOR SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20 AS CRAIG RICHARDS AND DAN AZEEZ COLLIDE IN ACCRA – LIVE WORLDWIDE ON DAZN
Tue, 04 Nov 2025Bryce Mills Defeats James Bernadin By Unanimous Decision
Mon, 03 Nov 2025NBA Daily: Wembanyama Struggles as Suns Give Spurs First Loss 130-118
By Reylan Loberternos, Mon, 03 Nov 2025Oklahoma City Thunder the only undefeated NBA Team
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Mon, 03 Nov 2025RP Blu Boys Close Out Strong with Unbeaten Record in Japan Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 03 Nov 2025Pero Outlasts Thompson in Orlando, Secures Unanimous Decision Victory
Mon, 03 Nov 2025Jonas Magpantay Crowned Qatar World Cup 10-Ball Champion
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 03 Nov 2025