Colin Nathan confident Cafu will stun Rodriguez in world title unification clash

Cafu, will on the 19th of next month line up in a unification bout against WBC title holder Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez at the Star’s Ford Centre in Texas, USA. 

This will be Cafu’s first title defense since he won in Japan in October last year against Kosei Tanaka. 

Nathan is confident of pulling off yet another upset.

"Yeah, I mean there's no question about it and also one of the biggest fights involving a South African for international boxing. So, it's just going to be part of what's gonna happen on the 19th of July especially when we produce an upset, so I'm looking forward to that. It's a massive opportunity,” Nathan said.

“Behind the scenes it's often like a game of chess, you gotta have the right chess piece, which we had with Phumelela, with the WBO title and we also knew that Bam had put pressure on Matram to get the unification going, so we knew the IBF was that. 

“We knew that Martinez [Fernando] was actually in the running to have the fight then for whatever reason that fell apart and then he signed to fight Loko [Kazuto] in their rematch for the WBA version, which left Phumelela. 

“So, that kind of came to fruition once we knew all those other pieces were played and obviously we were sitting on the chessboard waiting for the phone call for it to happen so kinda that side happened and here we are."

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Rodgriguez, a respected and highly rated two-division world champion, also holds the prestigious Ring Magazine title, making this unification title bout a huge money spinner. Speaking to SABC Sport on Wednesday afternoon at the HotBox Gym, Nathan says this bout will change Cafu’s life on and off the ring.

"Of course, I mean look the financial reward is massive. It's a great opportunity for South African boxing and Phumelela, obviously this fight is gonna change his life. The previous fight changed his life and this fight is gonna propel him to another level,” he added.

“It's not just gonna be an African star, you are looking at a global boxing star when he beats Jesse, so very excited about the fight, very excited about the stage, very excited about just another unification. It's just great for South African and African boxing."