The WBO junior-bantamweight champion Phumelela Cafu wants to make the first defense of his title against Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez.
“The Truth” Cafu won it, as the underdog, from Japan’s Kosei Tanaka in Tokyo via split decision in October.
His trainer and manager Colin Nathan is negotiating his potential next move with Teiken Promotions, but even if a “homecoming” fight in South Africa is the alternative, it’s the celebrated Gonzalez, 37 years old and from Nicaragua, Cafu is targeting.
“‘I leave that up to Paps [Colin Nathan]’,” Nathan said when discussing what the 26 year old had told him. “‘I’d love to defend my title against Gonzalez. I’d fight him anywhere. He is another legend, and it’s my time now. I’m starting my own legacy.’”
Nathan added: “We currently have two options. There have been rumors that we will face Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez, the WBO’s mandatory challenger. I can say that we are at an advanced stage of negotiations, but it’s not 100 per cent done. Phumelela wants that fight, and so do I, but it will come down to several factors. If that does not happen, then after chatting with Mr Honda, the next option would be to do Phumelela’s first defense right here in South Africa with Boxing 5 Promotions, in association with Teiken Promotions.
“In the event we do a ‘homecoming’ fight here in South Africa, it would not be against Gonzalez. I did explore the possibility of a South African opponent, but none of them qualify because they are not rated in the top 15 WBO ratings.”
Gonzalez last fought in July, when he stopped in 10 rounds Colombia’s Rober Barrera.
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