SA’s Lindo Khuzwayo ready to be crowned IBO All-Africa Featherweight at Sandton Mayhem
South Africa’s unbeaten featherweight prospect Lindo Khuzwayo is set to face Nigeria’s Rilwan Lawal for the inaugural IBO All-Africa Featherweight Title at the Sandton Mayhem event, marking a significant milestone in his professional boxing career. (left to right) Aquila Boxing Promotions ambassador Kevin Lerena, boxer Lindo Khuzwayo and trainer Sean Smith. Picture: Michael Sherman/IOL
Image: Michael Sherman/IOL
South Africa’s unbeaten featherweight prospect Lindo Khuzwayo says he’s ready to seize his moment when he faces Nigeria’s Rilwan Lawal for the inaugural IBO All-Africa Featherweight Title on Saturday.
In the ‘Sandton Mayhem’ event organised by Kevin Lerena’s Aquila Boxing Promotions, Khuzwayo will be hoping to keep building on his stellar start to his professional career.
To date, the 22-year-old Khuzwayo has fought six times, won five and drawn one. Of those five victories, four were knockouts (KOs).
However, Khuzwayo will be taking on the much more experienced Lawal, who has 22 fights to his name, including 13 KOs in his 20 wins.
Khuzwayo’s Excitement for IBO All-Africa Featherweight Title Fight
“I’m feeling very good. It's a very good step up. It's going to be a nice fight and I feel ready for this fight. It's something that I've been waiting for and now I've been given an opportunity and I'm going to seize the opportunity for sure. I'm ready for this fight.”
Fighting for the new IBO All-Africa Featherweight Title in just the third year of his pro career will be an amazing opportunity, Khuzwayo explained.
Honestly, I never thought it would come this early.
Khuzwayo, a three-time South African amateur champion who represented the country at the regional games, said his confidence grew through early knockout wins and the belief of those around him.
From Rural KZN to SA Champion: A Boxer’s Journey of Faith and Family Support
He credits prayer and his family’s support—especially his mother—for helping him stay grounded through the physical and mental toll of boxing.
“I started boxing back in KZN when I was probably 11 years old. I was staying in rural areas, so it was kind of tough boxing back then. Because as an amateur boxer, I would actually get probably like at most five fights in a year.
“I had to come here to Johannesburg. Then I was able to fight in the amateurs, the advanced amateurs. I went to SA Championships, became a three-time SA Championship champion in the amateurs. And then from there, Sean [Smith] took me under [his wing].
“Then I started doing professional boxing under him. So it has been an amazing journey for sure.”