Silence Mabuza | |
---|---|
Statistics | |
Real name | Silence Mabuza |
Nickname(s) |
"African Spice" "The Real Deal" |
Rated at | Bantamweight |
Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
Reach | 70 cm (28 in) |
Nationality | South African |
Born |
Tsakane, South Africa |
18 September 1977
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 26 |
Wins | 23 |
Wins by KO | 19 |
Losses | 3 |
Draws | 0 |
No contests | 0 |
Silence Mabuza (born 18 September 1977 in Tsakane, South Africa) is a professional boxer in the bantamweight (118 lb) division, and as of 6 Jan. 2008, is a former two time holder of the International Boxing Organization's world Bantamweight title.
Mabuza, who reportedly had more than 400 amateur bouts, started his pro career on 28 Nov. 1999, with a second-round TKO of Masinghita Hlungwane (lifetime record 1-3) at Portuguese Hall, in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. He carved through six more opponents, all by knockout, in his native South Africa, before branching out to fight British journeyman Anthony Hanna (lifetime 22-77-7 as of 12 Dec. 2008) on 4 April 2004, in Liverpool. Mabuza won by decision.
Known as "African Spice" or "The Real Deal," typically fighting in white trunks decorated with a leopard-print "skirt" of wide tassels, Mabuza returned to South Africa to log two more wins, running his record to 10-0, before taking the International Boxing Organization world Bantamweight title from Colombia's Jose Sanjuanelo with a sixth-round TKO on 2 March 2002, at Carnival City in Brakpan, South Africa.
Mabuza won his next seven fights, five by knockout, successfully defending his title six times, between 27 July 2002 (TKO of Zolile Mbityi in South Africa) and 13 May 2005 (unanimous decision over Cruz Carbajal at the Plaza Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada). Having earned a shot at the International Boxing Federation Bantamweight title held by Rafael Marquez (boxer), Mabuza met that champion on 5 Nov. 2005, in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, but was stopped in the fourth round by a serious cut over his right eye. (He was also cut under his left eye, and had been knocked down in Round 1). Mabuza lost his IBO title to Marquez, who unified the two belts.