Phumlani Njilo plans to KO 'Skeem Saam' actor Pholoso Mohlala in their celebrity boxing match

Phumlani Njilo is to get into the ring with Skeem Saam actor Pholoso Mohlala.

Tumelo Ramaphosa (President Cyril Ramaphosa's son) is the host of the inaugural #StudexCelebrityBoxing with the Mandela Foundation and the International Boxing Association at the International Convention Centre in Durban from April 15-21.

Tumelo told TshisaLIVE as a “mixed martial arts fan” he wanted to shed light on combat sports in South Africa.

“It would be wonderful for us to host our first celebrity boxing match which will be online paper view, the first of its kind. We have global exposure. And this will be more about inclusion. We have female fighters, we are addressing gender-based violence and promoting women in combat sport. This is more relatable, that's why boxing has grown so much.”

Phumlani, who won his bout against Big Zulu last April, said he is confident he will knock out his opponent Pholoso.

“It's good to be back. I had a formal break and now we're here again. The Big Zulu fight went as planned. I told people I was going to defeat [him]. I'm glad I won that fight because I'm here now. Through that I was able to get a call from the president's son for me to participate in this big event,” he said. 

“This is one of the biggest boxing events we've seen with more than 200 boxers from around the world coming to South Africa to fight and I get to grace that stage because I won my fight with Big Zulu. As for my opponent, I don't have much to say about him because I haven't seen his fighting skills but I'm ready to go. I promise the fans to knock him out.”

Pholoso, who was confident during the face-off, said he would take some of the skills he's learnt as a stunt actor as well as the training he'll do in the coming days to make sure he wins this bout. 

“Apparently he's good because he's moered Big Zulu but I'm not Big Zulu. I can't wait for this fight. I'm not ready but I will be ready in 10 days. It's going to be lit, we're going to see some blue eyes there. I'm bringing the belt home to Gauteng. I know I'm going to win. I have a bet with Phumlani. If I win, he's going to give me an extra R20,000 and if he wins I'll give him the extra money.”