BELTING THE OPPOSITION: South Africa's Isaac Hlatshwayo and Delvin Rodriguez, of the US, in their IBF welterweight eliminator at Emperor's Palace, Ekurhuleni, last year Picture: SYDNEY SESHIBEDI

His opponent has yet to be finalised, but the challenger will be one of Rafael Jackiwicz, of Poland; "Sugar" Jackson Bonsu, a Ghanaian living in Belgium; Germany-based Slovenian Jan Zaveck; or Argentina's Sebastian "Iron" Lujuan.

Promoter Branco Milenkovic said this week that the Hlatshwayo camp had decided against a unification fight with WBC champion Andre Berto, preferring to make a voluntary defence first.

Only one South African has been involved in a unification bout for two recognised belts. Brian Mitchell, then the WBA junior-lightweight champion, took on IBF titleholder Tony Lopez in 1991. That fight ended in a draw but Mitchell beat Lopez in the rematch.

The welterweight division is undoubtedly the most exciting in the world at the moment, with the likes of Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto and Shane Mosley holding court.

Pacquiao and Cotto face off in Las Vegas on November 14, and there is speculation that Mayweather will fight Mosley or the winner of Pacquiao vs Cotto.