Ricardo Malajika

Ricardo Malajika (born August 28, 1998, in Johannesburg, South Africa), known as “Magic Man,” is a rising force in African boxing and a two-division IBO world champion. Competing in the flyweight and super-flyweight divisions, Malajika has quickly established himself as one of South Africa’s brightest boxing talents, admired for his explosive power, speed, and sharp ring IQ.

He turned professional on October 21, 2018, at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, where he announced himself with a first-round knockout over Nkululeko Mnisi. After building his record with a series of dominant wins, Malajika achieved a major milestone on September 2, 2023, when he captured the IBO super-flyweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Kevin Luis Munoz. He proved himself a worthy champion with strong defenses, including a decision over Marcel Braithwaite in April 2024 and an 11th-round stoppage of Yanga Sigqibo in August of the same year.

In a bold move, Malajika dropped down to flyweight and challenged Jackson Chauke for the IBO title on March 1, 2025. Fighting once again at his familiar Emperors Palace, Malajika showcased his finishing instincts, stopping Chauke in the second round to become a two-weight world champion. His success added to South Africa’s rich boxing legacy and further established him as a headline attraction at home and abroad.

Malajika continued to show his dominance in the super-flyweight division with a spectacular defense against Jayson Mama on August 9, 2025. He floored the Filipino contender five times before the referee halted the fight in the fifth round, marking one of the most impressive performances of his career. Known for his knockout power and relentless style, Malajika is widely regarded as one of the most exciting fighters to watch in his weight classes.