Kickboxing champ shines in boxing debut

• Published date: 24 April 2024
• Author: Lonwabo Marele lonwabo.marele@acm.co.za
• Publication title: Southern Mail

Junior made his featherweight debut against Sydwell Goliath at a Jackie Brice Boxing Promotion special, dedicated to the late world-renowned boxing official, Eddie Marshall

In front of a vibrant crowd with many familiar faces, including the Springboks director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus, as well as heavyweight boxer Joshua Pretorius from KZN, the local hero, Cloete Junior, made the most of the moment.

With the boxing showcase headlined by the new WBF All Africa Super Flyweight champion, Lwando Mgabi who beat Free State’s Lebogang Gift Pilane on points, the night was all that it promised to be.

The former 10-time South African amateur kickboxing champion, multiple Western Cape kickboxing champion, African Zone champion and World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO) World Championships’ bronze medalist, Cloete Junior stepped in with Mandoza’s song, Nkalakatha.

In his corner, his father, Josh Cloete Senior, was caught by surprise by the track selection. A little over 20 years ago, it was the same song he used to step into the ring.

“It is a great feeling, especially being roped in in that song. I remember he was still small when I had that fight 20 years ago in Khayelitsha… I just got the beat. I felt the vibe. I knew it was going to be a good day,” said Cloete Senior.

But he was not the only person surprised that night. The 25-year-old Junior put on a good show. His five punch body and temple combination dropped Goliath twice in the first and second round...