Boxing
Resilient Tulani Mbenge Reclaims IBO Welterweight Title, Eyes Bigger Challenges After London Triumph
Tulani Mbenge reclaims the IBO Welterweight Title after defeating Michael McKinson in London. Now, he sets his sights on bigger challenges as his boxing career reaches new heights. His impressive victory is bound to turn heads in the sports betting scene as fans eagerly anticipate his next matchup.
Image Credits: James Chance/Getty Images
These are the words echoed by the newly crowned International Boxing Organisation (IBO) welterweight boxing champion Tulani “Evolution” Mbenge, who struggled to find ring time as many boxers were not willing to fight him.
Mbenga now believes that his ranking and belt will make him a more desirable opponent.
“It’s frustrating but at the same time, it’s a game of patience. Moments like these take time. I knew there was no one to fight in Africa because I have dominated everyone,” Mbenga told SportsBoom.com.
The “Evolution” regained his belt after losing it back in 2019 to Sebastian Formela in Germany. Following that loss, it had been an arduous journey for the Eastern Cape native who faced six opponents to improve his ranking and earn his shot to reclaim his title.
His first fight after two years came on the 2nd of March 2024 against Argentinian Leandro Ariel Fonseca in Durban, South Africa. A battle he conquered by unanimous decision after 10 rounds. With fully loaded confidence in his gloves, Mbenge defeated Englishman Michael “The Problem” McKinson on points after 12 rounds at the Copperbox Arena in London on Saturday, 19 October 2024.
I don’t know how I'm feeling, I'm still processing everything.
Tulani Mbenge
Amateur Career
Mbenge was a stop out amateur boxer before joining the professional ranks, winning the South African junior welterweight championships in 2010 and 2011, and a bronze medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
Since his professional debut in 2015, the 33-year-old has won South African, WBC, IBO and African Boxing Union titles.
Where To from Here?
Thulani’s popularity is at an all-time high, as options to fight in December and February in Africa have been table by boxing promoter and Founder of Boxxer Ben Shalom who couldn't contain his excitement.
“I gained a lot of fans, as people were saying that guy (Michael McKinson) is a boring fighter. Obviously, he doesn't win fights, touch and go, touch and go, so I made the fight exciting.”
Said the IBO champion upon arriving at the OR Tambo International Airport on Monday.
As for South Africa, the future looks bright in boxing and mixed martial arts, after the country crowned five champions in 2024: Tulani Mbenge - IBO Welterweight Champion; Phumelele Cafu - WBO Super Flyweight Champion; Jackson Van Tonder Chauke - IBO World Flyweight Champion and WBC International Flyweight Champion; Dricus Du Plessis - UFC Middleweight Champion and Nkosi Ndebele - BRAVE Bantamweight Champion.
Mbali Sigidi is an ambitious Sports Journalist and Sports Presenter from South Africa, whose achieved great milestones in her career. She boasts two degrees, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Media Studies and Sociology from the University of Witwatersrand, as well as an Honours Degree in Brand Communications from Vega school of Brand Leadership. She’s a passionate storyteller who believes authenticity connects people across cultures and boarders. One of the quotes she lives by is “Be a women with a story to tell” as she believes everyones narrative matters.