By Ron Jackson

There are a large number of South African fighters who feature in the latest IBO Top 100 Computerized ratings for January 1, 2020, with champions Kevin Lerena (cruiserweight), Gideon Buthelezi (junior bantamweight) and Nkosinathi Joyi (minimumweight) topping the list.

In the cruiserweight class Thabiso Mchunu 22-5; 13 who has just come off an outstanding win over Denis Lebedev, is listed at No. 2 and in the super middleweights Rowan Campbell 12-0; 8 is at No.27 with former multiple champion Ryno Liebenberg 19-7-1; 13 at No. 62.

This is a must matchup between Campbell and Liebenberg which would bring in the fans.

At middleweight the only ranked fighter is Nkululeko Mhlongo 18-7-1; 14 the South African middleweight champion who is at No. 76.

In the junior middleweight class Brandon Thysse, Boyd Allen and Simon Dladla come in at No’s 91, 96 and 98.

The welterweight division has former IBO champions Thulani Mbenge 15-1; 12 and Chris van Heerden 28-2; 12 at No’s 17 and 22. A matchup between these two would be a tremendous attraction. In at No. 41 is the promising Jabulani Makhense 9-0; 4.

At lightweight, WBF lightweight champion Ayanda Nkosi 14-1; 8 is at No. 43 and Siphosethu Mvula 15-3-1; 7 at No. 75.

In the junior lightweights Azinga Fuzile 14-1; 8 who is rated at No. 12 after he suffered his first loss against Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov which ended in controversy and Khanyile Bulana 12-0; 8 and Phila Mpontshana are at No’s 54 and 61.

The talented featherweight Lerato Dlamini 13-1; 6 is in the list at No.11 and the former veteran Commonwealth bantamweight champion Tshifiwa Munyai makes the list at No. 85.

The lone entry in the junior featherweights is South African champion Ayabonga Sonjica 9-0; 7 at No. 50.

The bantamweights have former WBO champion Zolani Tete 28-4; 21 at No. 4 and South African champion Ronald Malindi 17-0; 9 in at No. 21; with former WBF and IBO junior bantamweight champion Lwandile Sityatha 24-3-1; 7 at No. 93.

Among the junior bantamweights we have Yanga Sigqibo (7), Ricardo Malajika (45), Sabelo Ngebinyana (45), Nhlanhla Ngamtwini (65) and Lindile Tshemese (85).

There are three South Africans listed in the flyweights; Jackson Chauke (16), Luyanda Ntwananambi (31) and Fikile Mlonyeni at No. 52, and the light flyweights have Sivenathi Nontshinga (13), Nhlanhla Tyira (64), Lusizo Manzana (77) and Mpumelelo Tshabalala (79).

South Africa has massive representation in the minimumweights with former champion Simpiwe Konco at No. 2 and the others listed are Siphamandla Baleni (9), Bangile Nyagani (13), Ayanda Ndulani (17), Siyakholwa Kuse (29), Loyiso Ngantweni (33), Xolisa Magusha (37), Thembelani Okolo (51), Sibusiso Bandla (56), Phumlani Maloni (61), Sikho Moshani (75), Yanga Ndoyana (81), Gaveni Nkwenteni (87) and Lonwabo Roboshi (100).