Ndlovu has third crack at Molitor
BRANCO Milenkovic has kept his promise of getting Takalani "The Panther" Ndlovu a third crack at the IBF junior featherweight title
The internationally recognised boxing promoter has delivered the belt right to his doorstep. Ndlovu failed to win it in his two previous attempts against Steve Molitor.
Milenkovic won the purse bid on Tuesday to present the third meeting between these foes. His winning purse bid was $320000 (R2,2million) while Molitor's backers had pledged $227500.
Milenkovic was involved in Ndlovu's second attempt against Molitor in Canada on March 27 last year. Ndlovu's first attempt at Molitor's title was organised by Rodney Berman and it took place on July 14 2007.
Molitor will make his second trip here. He was here in August 2006 to oppose Gabula "Tiger" Vabaza for the belt, which was vacant at the time, but that fightwas cancelled due to Vabaza's poor health. The IBF ordered Molitor to fight Michael Hunter who succumbed to Molitor' s power in five rounds.
Molitor recorded his first defence against Ndlovu with a ninth-round stoppage in 2007 but lost the belt in his sixth defence to Celestino Caballero. The Panamanian fighter was stripped last year after refusing to defend against Ndlovu.
Molitor and Ndlovu, who were top contenders, fought for the vacant title and Molitor outpointed the Sowetan.
Milenkovic's first coup for Ndlovu was when he convinced the IBF's championship committee to sanction Ndlovu for the title eliminator. Ndlovu beat Jeffrey "Mongoose" Mathebula on points in Brakpan on September 1 last year.
" I am happy that the fight will take place here. I have already thanked Branco for what he did," said Ndlovu, the former SA featherweight, IBO junior featherweight and WBF featherweight champion, yesterday.
Top Rank had won the original purse bid on November 30. Promoter Bob Arum set March 19 as the date for the fight.
However, according to IBF's rule on purse bids, Top Rank were obliged to stage the bout within 90 days of winning the bid. The March 19 date fell after this period and this opened the door for Milenkovic to complain to the IBF, which ordered a second purse bid.