It’s official! History will be made in local boxing on April 18 at the North West University in Mafikeng.

Two stablemates from the productive Nick Durandt gym, revered boxers Cassius “Hit Man” Baloyi and Malcolm “The Stone” Klassen, will put the spirit of brotherhood up against each other.

This unprecedented clash of stablemates will be presented by Branco Sports Production in conjunction with the North West government and the SABC, which will televise it live on Blow by Blow at 9.30pm.

Baloyi, who hails from Giyani, will defend the IBF junior lightweight title against the Toekomsrus- based Klassen.

Durandt will be in Baloyi’s corner while Gert Strydom will usher in Klassen to the ring.

This historic fight was confirmed yesterday when Baloyi and Klassen squared up gainst each other during a briefing in Auckland Park.

This is an enthusiastically awaited fight. Its first briefing attracted a horde of journalists who had anticipated some verbal sparring.

But none of that happened. Instead these two gladiators showed a great deal of respect for each other. But Baloyi, clad in the black and white colours of his new sponsors, promised to prove that he was not a six-time champion by default.

He paid tribute to the national broadcaster, which will televise the fight to millions of South Africans.

Klassen, who wore the plain white colours of Neo Africa, remained calm. Usually he talks trash to spark excitement.

“I have nothing bad to say about Cas. He is more like a brother to me. Unfortunately fighting is our business.

“This will be a very tough fight for both of us and I cannot make any prediction, but I have the tendency to surprise people,” he said.

This fight was ordered by the hierarchy of the New Jersey-based IBF. Baloyi won the belt from Mzonke Fana in April last year while Klassen earned the rights to challenge Baloyi by flattening Manuel Median in two rounds last August.

Durandt dismissed talk that he will be the winner since he will get the managerial percentage of the purse monies from both fighters.

“The end result is simple – South Africa will be the winner – the belt will remain here,” he said.