The World Boxing Federation’s International Welterweight Champion, Wasim Chellan, has his eyes set on the South African Welterweight Title, lined up for Sunningdale, on December 14.
Fighting out of Brice Boxing Academy in Ottery, Chellan, from Manenberg, is no stranger to adversity.
In his last outing in June, at The Box Show: Colosseum Fight Night, in Germany, Chellan fell short in a split decision loss to Adel el Garmaoui, from Germany.
Kleurling, as Chellan is affectionately called in the sport, arguably won seven of the 10 rounds in the bout against the WBF World Champion, WBF International Champion and IBO International Champion, El Garmaoui, which includes a seven count by the official in round one.
With 20 seconds left in round eight, Chellan unleashed a flurry of punches on El Garmaoui, driving him back toward the ropes.
The impact saw his opponent’s mouthpiece come loose. As Chellan continued to offload combinations, the official paused the fight for El Garmaoui to put his mouthpiece back. The German recovered.
The defeat brought Chellan’s record to eight wins and one loss, while the new IBO International Champion, El Garmaoui advanced to 13 wins.
“It was a good test for me, mentally and physically. I didn’t feel outside my home hence I fought the way I fought. I felt like we did enough. I went and gave 100 percent. Unfortunately it wasn’t our night,” said Chellan.
Back in Manenberg, Chellan was met with a grand community welcome, lifting his spirits and shifting his focus from June’s loss to December’s upcoming opportunity.
“It’s been a journey working towards the SA Title. It finally arrived and the team said let’s take it as an opportunity,” he said.
Promoted by Jack Brice, Chellan has the head trainer Emile Brice, conditioning coach and former-two times World Champion Mzonke Fana and assistant coach Allon Dillon in his corner, ahead of the national challenge against Jabulani Makhense, scheduled to take place at the Sunningdale Sports Complex, on December 14.
Makhense, from Pretoria, has 14 wins and two losses. Seven of his wins coming via knockouts. He is the International Boxing Federation’s (IBF) Africa Welterweight Champion.
With the hopes of being crowned the new national champion, Chellan said the fight is of significance to his trainers and his community of Manenberg.
“I am excited to have them (Brice Boxing Academy) in my corner. Mzonke was an SA Champ and IBF Champ. He is excited that I am fighting for the SA Title. He defended it twice,” said Chellan.
