After a decade in kickboxing, with numerous accolades under his belt, Josh Cassius Cloete Junior, from Vibrants Sports Studio in Ottery, transitioned full-time into professional boxing last Friday, April 19.
Junior made his featherweight debut against Sydwell Goliath at a Jackie Brice Boxing Promotion special, dedicated to the late world-renowned boxing official, Eddie Marshall.
In front of a vibrant crowd with many familiar faces, including the Springboks director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus, as well as heavyweight boxer Joshua Pretorius from KZN, the local hero, Cloete Junior, made the most of the moment.
With the boxing showcase headlined by the new WBF All Africa Super Flyweight champion, Lwando Mgabi who beat Free State’s Lebogang Gift Pilane on points, the night was all that it promised to be.
The former 10-time South African amateur kickboxing champion, multiple Western Cape kickboxing champion, African Zone champion and World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO) World Championships’ bronze medalist, Cloete Junior stepped in with Mandoza’s song, Nkalakatha.
In his corner, his father, Josh Cloete Senior, was caught by surprise by the track selection. A little over 20 years ago, it was the same song he used to step into the ring.
“It is a great feeling, especially being roped in in that song. I remember he was still a baby when I had that fight 20 years ago in Khayelitsha… I just got the beat. I felt the vibe. I knew it was going to be a good day,” said Cloete Senior.
But he was not the only person surprised that night. The 25-year-old Junior put on a good show. His five punch body and temple combination dropped Goliath twice in the first and second round, before the official, Oscar Noels, counted him out in the early stages of the second round.
In celebratory mode, like a samurai, junior sliced his opponent with an imaginary zanpakuto (sword) before bowing respectfully to the vibrant crowd.
“I feel great. I think I put on a good performance, a good show. I am somewhat of a perfectionist myself, so I always see more work to do afterwards and things to improve on. I think all in all, for a debut, I am happy with my performance,” said Cloete Junior.
He said Goliath got saved by the ring in the first round. When they stepped in for the second round, Junior had already known his opponent’s stance and power. It was easy to disarm and knock him out.
With his transition into the sport, Junior said he is a little late to the party as the majority of the boxers usually turn professional early in their career, however, the young fighter said he is no stranger to the ring; he is up for the challenge.
“The confidence that you have doesn’t come from looking in the mirror fueling endless motivation to yourself, but by having sheer, undeniable proof of ‘you are who you say you really are’… I just keep going. My confidence is to continue to put in that hard work,” said Cloete Junior.
