Siyakholwa Kuse
 Kuse during the ceremonial weigh-in at Gateway Mall 2, Quantum Skyview, Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines 2025 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | South African |
| Born | 13 July 2003 |
| Height | 5 ft 3 in (160 cm) |
| Weight | Mini flyweight |
| Boxing career | |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 14 |
| Wins | 10 |
| Win by KO | 4 |
| Losses | 3 |
| Draws | 1 |
Siyakholwa Kuse (born 13 July 2003) is a South African professional boxer. He has held the World Boxing Council (WBC) mini-flyweight title since May 2026.
Amateur career
Commonwealth Youth Games
2017
- 1st round bye
- Defeated Tiholohelo Mokhesi (Lesotho) RSC (1/3 x 2)
- Lost to Sachin Siwach Singh (India) UD (3/3 x 2) (claim bronze medal)
Professional career
Kuse vs Salva
Kuse's set to face a non-title 10-rounder against Samuel Salva from the Philippines on the Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, South Africa on May 31, 2025[1] Despite absorbing a round 1 knocked down Kuse was able to win against Salva via Unanimous decision.[2]
First title challenge
Kuse vs Jerusalem
Thrilla in Manila: 50th Anniversary
Kuse fought WBC mini-flyweight champion Melvin Jerusalem on 29 October 2025, in an MP Promotions event billed "Thrilla in Manila: 50th anniversary" at Araneta Coliseum, Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines. It is meant as the 50th anniversary commemoration of the original Thrilla in Manila 1975 fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.[3][4][5] Kuse lost by unanimous decision.[6][7]
Kuse vs Jerusalem 2
A rematch between Kuse and Jerusalem took place at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, South Africa, on 16 May 2026. Kuse won by unanimous decision to claim the WBC mini-flyweight title.[8][9]
Professional boxing record
| 14 fights | 10 wins | 3 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 4 | 0 |
| By decision | 6 | 3 |
| Draws | 1 | |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Win | 10–3–1 | Melvin Jerusalem | UD | 12 | May 16, 2026 | Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, South Africa | Won WBC mini-flyweight title |
| 13 | Loss | 9–3–1 | Melvin Jerusalem | UD | 12 | Oct 29, 2025 | Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Philippines | For WBC mini-flyweight title |
| 12 | Win | 9–2–1 | Samuel Salva | UD | 10 | May 31, 2025 | Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, South Africa | |
| 11 | Win | 8–2–1 | Beaven Sibanda | MD | 12 | Dec 6, 2024 | Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, South Africa | Won vacant WBC Silver mini-flyweight title |
| 10 | Win | 7–2–1 | Malakhi Sobolo | KO | 5 (12) | Aug 25, 2024 | Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa | Retained South African mini-flyweight title |
| 9 | Win | 6–2–1 | Halid Kalama | TKO | 8 (12) | Dec 3, 2023 | Community Hall, Whittlesea, South Africa | Won vacant African mini-flyweight title |
| 8 | Win | 5–2–1 | Bangile Nyangani | UD | 12 | Jul 2, 2023 | International Convention Centre, East London, South Africa | Won South African mini-flyweight title |
| 7 | Win | 4–2–1 | George Kandulo | UD | 6 | Sep 25, 2022 | Portuguese Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa | |
| 6 | Loss | 3–2–1 | Bangile Nyangani | MD | 12 | Jul 10, 2021 | Nutting Hall, East London, South Africa | Lost South African mini-flyweight title |
| 5 | Win | 3–1–1 | Sibusiso Bandla | KO | 5 (12), 2:19 | Dec 16, 2019 | International Convention Centre, East London, South Africa | Won South African mini-flyweight title |
| 4 | Loss | 2–1–1 | Xolisa Magusha | UD | 12 | Jul 28, 2019 | Orient Theatre, East London, Soiuth Africa | For South African mini-flyweight title |
| 3 | Draw | 2–0–1 | Athenkosi Thongwana | PTS | 4 | Jun 23, 2019 | Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Phumlani Maloni | PTS | 6 | Apr 7, 2019 | Nangoza Jebe Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Samkelo Mejane | TKO | 3 (6) | Jun 30, 2018 | Indoor Sports Centre, Mdantsane, South Africa |
See also
References
- ↑ Magasela, Bongani (30 May 2025). "Kuse risks it all to face Filipino Salva". sowetanlive.co.za.
- ↑ Zifu, Mesuli (2 June 2025). "Kuse surives scare to led East Cape trio to win". pressreader.com.
- ↑ Villaruel, Emmanuel (1 September 2025). "Jerusalem upbeat on defending WBC throne before home fans". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
- ↑ "Melvin Jerusalem-Siyakholwa Kuse For WBC Strawweight Title". ringmagazine.com. 30 September 2025.
- ↑ Magasela, Bogani (22 October 2025). "Kuse eyes WBC title on 50th anniversary of 'Thrilla in Manila'". Sowetan. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ↑ "Melvin Jerusalem overcomes Siyakholwa Kuse atop 'Thrilla in Manila 2' bill". Boxing News Online. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
- ↑ "Melvin Jerusalem edges out Siyakholwa Kuse to retain minimumweight title". badlefthook.com. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
- ↑ "Kuse makes history as he conquers Jerusalem to win WBC crown". Times Live. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
- ↑ "Siyakholwa Kuse makes history in South Africa by dethroning Melvin Jerusalem and being crowned WBC World Champion". wbcboxing.com. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
External links
- Boxing record for Siyakholwa Kuse from BoxRec (registration required)
- Siyakholwa Kuse - Profile, News Archive & Current Rankings at Box.Live