Phumelela Cafu hoping his dream comes true against Kosei Tanaka

WBO junior-bantamweight champion Kosei Tanaka defends his title on Monday, October 14, against South African contender Phumelela Cafu.

Twenty-nine-year-old Cafu, nicknamed “The Truth,” is 10-0-3 (8 KOs) and has won his last five on his way to becoming the WBO’s No. 3 ranked contender. 

Four-weight champion Tanaka, also 29, is 20-1 (11 KOs).

“I’ve always dreamed of being world champion,” said Cafu. “And it didn’t matter who I fight because I know I have the ability to beat anyone. I’m weeks away from my dream becoming reality.”

Cafu, from the Eastern Cape, is promoted in South Africa by Boxing 5 Promotions, and he will be fighting in Japan for the first time when he takes on Tanaka in Tokyo.

The South African is managed by Colin Nathan of No Doubt Management.

“When Phumelela joined Boxing 5 and myself, he really wanted a world title shot,” Nathan explained. “I said to him, give me a few months to make this happen. I contacted [Teiken promoter] Mr. Honda with the news that Cafu had joined me, and the rest is now history. As the saying goes – it’s not what you know, but who you know.” 

The fight will be Tanaka’s first defense of the title he won against Christian Bacasegue Rangel in February and Tanaka has previously scalped a South African, defeating Yanga Sigqibo on points over 10 rounds in December 2022.

At Boxing 5, boss Larry Wainstain said: “We are very confident that Cafu can pull off an upset and become world champion.”