Phumelele Cafu’s WBO Title Defense Set for Late May in South Africa; Gonzalez Fight Off

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Phumelele Cafu will defend his WBO junior bantamweight title in late May in South Africa. The planned fight against Roman Gonzalez is off after negotiations broke down. Cafu’s recent victory in Tokyo has positioned him for this title defense, emphasizing his growing prominence in boxing despite the setback with Gonzalez.

Phumelele Cafu is set to defend his WBO junior bantamweight title in late May 2023 in South Africa. Unfortunately, a much-anticipated match against renowned boxer Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez will not occur, as talks for this bout fell through, leaving Cafu without an opponent. Despite this setback, Cafu expressed excitement about competing at home for his title defense and is focused on the upcoming fight.

Cafu, currently holding a record of 11 wins, no losses, and three draws, captured the WBO title during an upset victory over Kosei Tanaka in Tokyo last year. His success in that match not only established him as a significant player in the junior bantamweight division but also disrupted plans for a potential Tanaka-Gonzalez match. Gonzalez had aimed for one final championship opportunity before exploring other strategies after his plans with Cafu were derailed.

Currently, it remains to be seen if Gonzalez will opt for a stay-busy fight pending Cafu’s title defense outcome. Last year, Gonzalez secured a notable win against Rober Barrera in his first bout back on home soil since 2015. His matchup against Cafu would mark a significant milestone as it could have been his inaugural title defense in his hometown, a first in Gonzalez’s illustrious career.

In summation, Phumelele Cafu’s upcoming title defense in South Africa emphasizes his commitment and determination as a champion, especially following the cancellation of his anticipated fight with Roman Gonzalez. While Gonzalez’s future remains uncertain as he assesses his next moves, fans can look forward to Cafu’s action in late May, with the possibility of later facing Gonzalez still on the table if Cafu successfully defends his title.

Original Source: ringmagazine.com

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