EXCLUSIVE: I’m the biggest fish now – Malajika returns home with WBC belt and target on his back

Fresh off touching down in South Africa with the prestigious WBC Green and Gold belt draped over his shoulder, Ricardo “Magic Man” Malajika isn’t looking back at Tokyo – he is looking at the target now painted firmly on his back.

Following a split-decision victory over Japan’s Tomoya Tsuboi at Toyota Arena, the 28-year-old Johannesburg-based fighter has officially transitioned from local contender to global prize.

For years, critics insisted Malajika was a domestic product who only thrived inside the familiar confines of Emperors Palace in Kempton Park. Now, having silenced those doubts on foreign soil, Malajika isn’t interested in chasing anyone in the 115-pound division.

“Because I am the biggest fish now, I can’t call out names. They’re going to have to want me, not me want them. The Magic Man turned the cards around. I have the title everybody wants,” the newly crowned WBC super-flyweight world champion said.

Addressing the long-standing narrative surrounding his record, Malajika remained grounded in his faith and personal drive rather than seeing his victory as a chance to put one over his detractors.

“I always give glory to God. I might be writing my own story, but God is giving me guidance in everything,” Malajika said. “It doesn’t matter what they say. I chose this sport because I love it… God gave me the gift and it’s the reason why I’m here.

“I only had a point to prove to myself because it was my dream to win the title,” he added. “The only challenge I could ever have is with myself. I have everything. I have a beautiful wife and kids, I have a beautiful team, I have my brothers. What more can I ask for?”

The victory showcased Magic Man’s superior professional ring IQ. While Tsuboi entered with an elite world amateur background and home-crowd backing, Malajika leaned on his 19-fight professional engine to drag the fast-starting Japanese standout into deep water.

“Tsuboi only had four fights and I had 19, so the only thing I did with Tsuboi was take him into deep waters, take him to the later rounds because I had more experience – the championship rounds,” Malajika explained. “That’s where I took him to and that’s where I did more damage, because I knew he was lacking experience.”

The victory also carried historic symmetry. Guided in his corner by Hall of Famer Brian Mitchell, Malajika’s triumph fell on 27 September – exactly 40 years to the day when Mitchell won his first world title at Sun City in 1986.

“Uncle Brian said you only have one fight, one night, and I don’t want you to have excuses or say that I should have done more of this or that. We don’t want to have excuses, we should win. You need to be the reason he makes excuses. Let him say, ‘I should have done more of this’ or ‘I should run more often’,” Malajika recalled.

“And then we did it, and he was like, ‘I told you, my boy! That’s what I wanted. We had no excuses, we came fit, we came to win, and that’s what it is about.’ He was excited. I have a 14-time world champion that’s been guiding me my whole career. I’m one of the lucky ones.”

Now holding the WBC strap alongside his IBO crown, Malajika is eager to keep testing himself abroad rather than staying comfortable at home.

“I’m looking for more unification fights, but that’s for my team to decide,” Malajika said. “I think I’ve fought enough on my home ground, so let me go out there, explore more, and get all the tough guys. That’s what boxing’s about.”