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Pacquiao’s former opponent, Lehlo Ledwaba of South Africa, dies of COVID-19

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<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/tvpatrol/07/03/pacman.jpg"/><figcaption><em>Screenshot from TVsports Highlights YouTube Channel</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>South African boxing champion Lehlohonolo Ledwaba, a former foe of boxing icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, has passed away due to COVID-19, a report said.</p><p>According to <a href="https://supersport.com/boxing/news/210702_Former_threetime_world_champion_Lehlohonolo_Ledwaba_dies">SuperSport</a>, Ledwaba, fondly called Lehlo, died on Friday while he was on his way to hospital because of the coronavirus. He was 49.</p><p>Ledwaba entered the professional boxing scene in 1990 but waited until 1996 to secure his first world title after beating Cruz Carbajal for the WBU bantamweight title. </p><p>He then clinched the vacant IBF super bantamweight belt in 1999 and defended it for five consecutive times.</p><p>Eyeing his sixth straight title defense in 2001, the South African pug suffered a 6th round technical knockout in the hands of Pacquiao in Las Vegas, Nevada.</p><p>It was Pacquiao’s biggest break in the boxing scene where he eventually became a legend. The match catapulted him to becoming one of greatest to ever play the sport.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/sports/06/02/21/boxing-pacquiao-nagkokondisyon-na-para-sa-august-fight-vs-spence">BOXING: Pacquiao nagkokondisyon na para sa August fight vs Spence</a></li></ul><p>For Ledwaba, however, it was also the start of the decline of his career, losing four of his last seven fights. </p><p>He retired in 2006 with a 36-6-1 win-loss-draw record including 23 knockouts. </p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1698189" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>South African boxing champion Lehlohonolo Ledwaba, a former foe of boxing icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, has passed away due to COVID-19, a report said.</p>

South African boxing champion Lehlohonolo Ledwaba, a former foe of boxing icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, has passed away due to COVID-19, a report said.