The rise of South African champions on the international stage is a reminder that the country’s boxing flame was never extinguished, says Tshegofatso Thobedi. The Boxing SA communications and media liaison officer noted: “[The flame] flickered through difficult seasons, endured through changing times, and continued to burn in gyms, community halls, and boxing clubs where fighters kept showing up, day after day. “Now, a new generation is picking up the torch as South African fighters step onto the world stage—taking on the best, winning on the biggest nights, and putting the country’s name back among boxing’s elite.”

 

For the first time in South African boxing history, the nation boasts three WBC champions: Siyakholwa “One Way” Kuse, Bernice “The Badger” Ferreira, and Ricardo “Magic Man” Malajika. Sivenathi Nontshinga also reigns at the IBF light flyweight champion.

 

Kuse holds the WBC minimumweight belt, Ferreira is the WBC female junior lightweight champion, and Malajika recently captured the WBC super flyweight title. Kuse and Malajika are trained by Manny Fernandes and managed by Brian Mitchell, with Golden Gloves serving as their promoter. Ferreira is trained by Arafat Koch and managed by Colin “Nomakanjani” Nathan’s No Doubt Management.

 

All three WBC champions were crowned this year. South Africa’s historic surge in producing WBC titleholders follows the May visit of WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán, who was ringside at Emperors Palace when Kuse dethroned Melvin Jerusalem, after being invited by Golden Gloves CEO Rodney Berman.

 

During his visit, Sulaimán met with Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie, BSA Chairperson Ayanda Khumalo, and CEO Tsholofelo Lejaka. In those discussions, Sulaimán promised to create avenues for local fighters to compete for WBC world titles.

 

Kuse, Ferreira, and Malajika seized those opportunities with both hands, proving that the talent and hunger that once made South Africa a global boxing powerhouse remain fully alive. Ferreira made history as South Africa’s first female WBC world champion after defeating Canada’s Caroline Veyre in Atlanta. Meanwhile, Malajika captured his world crown on foreign soil in Japan, edging out local favorite Tomoya Tsuboi via split decision.