THOHOYANDOU - The newly crowned middleweight champion of Limpopo, Sipho Delta Mukhithi, says he is eyeing the national championship.

Mukhithi knocked out Ntshengedzeni Netshivhera in the third round to win the vacant provincial middleweight championship, at the Thohoyandou Indoor Sports Centre four weeks ago.

Speaking to Mirror this week, Mukhithi said he was happy that his hard work paid off. Now that he is the first provincial champion, he says he is hoping to see himself in the national ratings so that he can challenge for the national championship in the near future.

"From now on, I want to work very hard in the gym with my trainer Shumani Ramagoma so that I can defend my title. If the opportunity of challenging for the national title comes, I will grab it with both hands," said Mukhithi.

Wearing the same hairstyle to that one of Lenox Lewis, his role model, Mukhithi of Itsani village was seen proudly displaying his daughter, Olga Mukhithi (4), who is his number one fan, while the fully packed hall roared with applause. Mukhithi's win increased his record to ten fights, seven wins by way of knockout and three defeats.

Three of these defeats were against the present national junior middleweight champion, Vincent Vuma, number one contender Tshepo Mashego and Michael Baloyi, the elder brother of Cassius Baloyi.

At 23, many believe that Mukhithi has a bright future in boxing. His interest in boxing started way back in 1993 at Ligege Secondary School.

"It all started when we were playing with boxing gloves with other classmates. I realised that I was better than my peers. From there I joined Venda Amateur Boxing Association until I turned professional in 2000. My dream was to see myself becoming a world champion and I believe my dream will come true in the near future. The only thing I am going to do, is to work harder," says the newly crowned champion of Limpopo.