Ricardo Malajika brings his dream WBC world title home

Malajika defeated highly rated Japanese boxer Tomoya Tsuboi via a split decision in Tokyo on Sunday. 

He becomes the sixth South African boxer to win the coveted WBC world title belt and adds to his IBO world title in the same division. 

Two judges scored the fight in Malajika’s favour, giving him 116-112 and 115-113 on the scorecards. 

The 28-year-old says it’s every boxer’s dream to own a WBC world title belt.

"It shows that I've put my life and I never wasted my time planting into my career and my sport. I believe it's every boxer's dream that walks in and everyone that has been watching Mohammed Ali to have this belt, you know,” Malajika said. 

“It doesn't get bigger than this, it's everyone's dream and me having this right now shows that dreams are possible, dreams do come true and God above there will get you and guide you as well."

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Other South African boxers to have won the WBC world titles include Thulani “Sugarboy” Malinga, the late Dingaan “The Rose of Soweto” Thobela, Kevin Lerena, Siyakholwa “One Way” Kuse and, most recently, female junior lightweight world champion Bernice Ferreira. Malajika says the sport of boxing has been good to him and his family.

"I once said in one of the interviews you know I think I owe it to boxing to become the WBC. Boxing made me who I am, Ricardo Malajika, the Magic Man. I'm this person because of boxing, I'm disciplined, I'm a husband to my wife because of boxing so I believe I owe it to boxing to become this champion,” he added.

“So, it shows that the road I was on is not for fun, not for games, I really loved it. Look, I'm the first one in my big family to have it, so I'm opening doors for the next upcoming Malajika's that's there."