Lehlohonolo Benedict Ledwaba (27 July 1971 – 2 July 2021) was a South African
professional boxer
Professional boxing, or prizefighting, is regulated, sanctioned boxing. Professional boxing bouts are fought for a purse that is divided between the boxers as determined by contract. Most professional fights are supervised by a regulatory auth ...
who competed from 1990 to 2006, and held the
IBF super bantamweight
Super bantamweight, also known as junior featherweight, is a boxing weight classes, weight class in professional boxing, contested from and up to .
There were attempts by boxing promoters in the 1920s to establish this weight class, but few sanct ...
title from 1999 to 2001.
Ledwaba died from
COVID-19
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic.
The symptoms of COVID‑19 can vary but often include fever ...
on 2 July 2021, at age 49.
Professional career
Ledwaba turned pro in 1990 and in 1999 captured the vacant IBF super bantamweight title with a decision victory over
John Michael Johnson. Ledwaba defended the belt 5 times before losing it to
Manny Pacquiao
Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao Sr. ( ; ; born December17, 1978) is a Filipino politician, businessman, and professional boxer. Nicknamed "PacMan", he is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional boxers of all time. He previously serv ...
via TKO to earn Pacquiao his second world championship in two weight divisions. Ledwaba continued to fight, but has never challenged for a major title since the loss. He retired from boxing after his loss to Maxwell Awuku on 24 November 2006.
Professional boxing record
References
External links
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Ledwaba, Lehlohonolo
1971 births
2021 deaths
Bantamweight boxers
International Boxing Federation champions
Sportspeople from Soweto
Boxers from Gauteng
South African male boxers
Super-bantamweight boxers
Featherweight boxers
Super-featherweight boxers
World super-bantamweight boxing champions
Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa