Malajika edged Japan’s Tomoya Tsuboi to become up the sixth South African boxer to capture a coveted WBC world title.
Johannesburg, South Africa (30 September 2026) – There is a new world champion in town. Ricardo “Magic Man” Malajika returned to South Africa on Monday to a hero’s welcome at OR Tambo International Airport after achieving one of the biggest milestones of his boxing career.
The 28-year-old was crowned the new WBC junior bantamweight world champion after edging highly rated Japanese boxer Tomoya Tsuboi by split decision in Tokyo on Sunday.
It was a closely contested fight, but Malajika did enough to convince two of the three judges. The scorecards read 116-112 and 115-113 in his favour, with the third judge siding with Tsuboi.
The victory adds the prestigious WBC belt to Malajika’s IBO world title in the same division, further cementing his place among South Africa’s boxing champions.
He is now just the sixth South African boxer to win a WBC world title, joining an impressive list that includes Thulani “Sugarboy” Malinga, the late Dingaan “The Rose of Soweto” Thobela, Kevin Lerena, Siyakholwa “One Way” Kuse and current female junior lightweight champion Bernice Ferreira.
He has described winning a WBC world title as a dream for every boxer, while reflecting on how much the sport has given him and his family.
Now, with the belt safely back on South African soil, the “Magic Man” has another reason to celebrate.
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