Golden Gloves once again demonstrated why it remains Africa’s premier boxing promoter, delivering a thrilling evening of championship boxing at Magic at the Palace, headlined by a breathtaking performance from South Africa’s newest heavyweight star, Jose Kadima.
In front of an electrified crowd, Kadima captured the WBC Africa Heavyweight Championship in emphatic fashion, stopping Uganda’s Herbert Matovu in just 36 seconds of the opening round. From the opening bell, Kadima imposed himself behind a sharp jab before landing a perfectly timed left hand that rocked Matovu and backed him into the neutral corner. Sensing the opportunity, the undefeated South African unleashed a devastating combination that left the Ugandan unable to continue, sealing one of the quickest and most memorable heavyweight title victories in recent South African boxing history.
The victory improves Kadima’s professional record to 9-0 (7 KOs) and earns him the prestigious WBC Africa Heavyweight Championship, placing him firmly on the radar as one of the continent’s fastest-rising heavyweight prospects.
Following his championship victory, an emotional Kadima dedicated the win to South Africa. “The plan was to work with my jab because the jab opens everything. I’m happy with the performance. This is a big moment for me and for my country. I promise my next fight will be even bigger. With the regional WBC title now around his waist, Kadima’s team has firmly set its sights on climbing the international heavyweight rankings, positioning the South African as one of Africa’s most exciting contenders.
The supporting card delivered thrilling action from start to finish, with experienced Congolese heavyweight Jack Mulowayi producing a commanding stoppage victory over previously unbeaten South African Juan “JJ” Alberts in the co-main event. The undercard also showcased the depth of African boxing talent, highlighted by Prichard Dube’s impressive upset victory over highly rated Sanele Sogcwayi, undefeated Monica Mkandla’s dominant stoppage win, teenage heavyweight prospect Ethan Peters extending his perfect record with another knockout victory, and Andre Malumba opening the evening with an emphatic third-round stoppage, capping off an action-packed night that reinforced Golden Gloves’ commitment to showcasing both established contenders and the next generation of boxing stars.
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Golden Gloves Continues Raising the Standard
Beyond the action inside the ring, Magic at the Palace reflected Golden Gloves’ continued commitment to growing the sport across Africa.During fight week, the promotion reaffirmed its commitment to athlete wellbeing by announcing new initiatives focused on financial literacy, financial wellness and mental health support for professional fighters and their families—a progressive step that aligns African boxing with leading international sporting organisations. Speaking after another successful event, Golden Gloves CEO Nivi Grogor said: “Magic at the Palace was a celebration of everything boxing represents discipline, courage, resilience and opportunity. Congratulations to every athlete who stepped into the ring and gave everything for this sport. Congratulations to Jose Kadima on becoming the new WBC Africa Heavyweight Champion. We remain committed to elevating African boxing, creating opportunities for our athletes and ensuring they are supported both inside and outside the ring.”
As another memorable chapter in Golden Gloves’ history comes to a close, the promotion continues to cement its reputation as the home of championship boxing in Africa, delivering world-class events while creating pathways for African athletes to compete on the global stage.with a new WBC Africa Heavyweight Champion crowned and a host of emerging stars announcing themselves, the future of African boxing has never looked brighter.
