ONKARABILE MOTHIBEDI WINS WBF TITLE
BY: Kabelo Seleka
Top 10 Boxing’s most celebrated star and the new international World Boxing Federation(WBF) Super Bantam Weight Champion Onkarabile Mothibedi(4W,2L)has won to become the second legitimate professional boxing champion from Botswana following his unanimous decision victory over Tshephang “Gearbox” Babui(5W, D2, L2) of Scud Missile Boxing.
TALKING POINTS
- The title was vacant
- Scara is the second pro boxing champion after Leslie Sekotswe.
- Gearbox disappointed by the loss
ONKARABILE MOTHIBEDI IS HISTORY BOUND
Onkarabile Mothibedi’s life-changing fight night dubbed “THE UNDEFEATED CHAMPION” came about following a vacancy in the WBF super bantamweight by South Africa’s Tholumusa ‘Mfundisi’ Ngema moving up in weights and lack of sponsorship for a title defense.
The historic career highlight of Onkarabile Mothibedi sets him in a position to be recognized as one of the historic boxers Botswana has ever produced.
In his post-bout interview with SPORTSNATION, Onkarabile Mothibedi lamented that he had always wanted to be a champion. The Goodhope born stressed that his passion and love for boxing has pushed him to the top.
“I dreamt of winning a belt in professional boxing ever since I was young, I wish now this will help me to fight for big fights in the US, commented the new WBF Champion Mothibedi.”
BABUI DISAPOINTED WITH HIS LOSS
On the other hand, Tshephang Babui blew his second chance at a title shot. Gearbox as fondly known in the squared circle lost to Ngema and now Onkarabile Mothibedi.
Thanks to Scud Missile Boxing promotions of bringing a championship bout, through its boss, Thuso Khunamang WBF agreed to a fight night under the Professional Boxing Association of Botswana(PBAB) supervision.
Mothibedi’s shortcoming opponent Tshephang Babusi has boldly told this publication that he is taking a break from boxing. The emotionally tainted aggressively hard-hitting super bantamweight hinted that he needs to regroup.
“Hopefully I will make a comeback, for now, it’s time to fix my mistakes, I worked so hard from round 1, I did not expect this, said the disappointed Babui.”
MOTHIBEDI TO DEFEND HIS TITLE SOON
Meanwhile, the duo’s mentors Isaac Pheko of Top10 Boxing and Thuso Khunamang of Scud Missile Boxing are said to be meeting again this week to map the way forward for a possible rematch or a fight night.
Lesly Sekotswe is the first Botswana champion in the professional ranks. Other boxers who have had a shot at an international title recently is Steven ‘Small’ Bagwasi losing to South Africa’s Ayanda ‘Greyhound’ Nkosi, for the WBA Pan African Lightweight title in December 2018.
Mothibedi has not more than six months to be celebrated as WBF champion in accordance with WBF rules until he defends his title.
