Silence Mabuza

Who is Silence Mabuza?

Silence Mabuza is a professional boxer in the bantamweight division, and as of 6 Jan. 2008, is a former two time holder of the International Boxing Organization's world Bantamweight title.

Mabuza, who reportedly had more than 400 amateur bouts, started his pro career on 28 Nov. 1999, with a second-round TKO of Masinghita Hlungwane at Portuguese Hall, in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. He carved through six more opponents, all by knockout, in his native South Africa, before branching out to fight British journeyman Anthony Hanna on 4 April 2004, in Liverpool. Mabuza won by decision.

Known as "African Spice" or "The Real Deal," typically fighting in white trunks decorated with a leopard-print "skirt" of wide tassels, Mabuza returned to South Africa to log two more wins, running his record to 10-0, before taking the International Boxing Organization world Bantamweight title from Colombia's Jose Sanjuanelo with a sixth-round TKO on 2 March 2002, at Carnival City in Brakpan, South Africa.

Mabuza won his next seven fights, five by knockout, successfully defending his title six times, between 27 July 2002 and 13 May 2005. Having earned a shot at the International Boxing Federation Bantamweight title held by Rafael Marquez, Mabuza met that champion on 5 Nov. 2005, in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, but was stopped in the fourth round by a serious cut over his right eye.. Mabuza lost his IBO title to Marquez, who unified the two belts.