Just before his IBO flyweight title was taken by Mzukisi Sikali, Masibulele "Hawk" Makepula had told anyone who cared to listen that God had told him to end Sikali's career.
It was a statement that so infuriated Sikali that when the big night came, the former WBU junior flyweight champion left no doubt in the minds of boxing fans as to who was the better pugilist between the two as he scored a convincing points win.
The defeat was a bitter pill to swallow for the God-fearing Makepula, who has now opted to keep his mouth shut ahead of the long-awaited return fight at Carnival City on Friday night.
At a pre-medical check-up on Monday, Hawk pleaded with the media to respect his decision not to say anything until after his battle with Sikali .
Makepula and his entourage, minus manager Mzimasi Mnguni, arrived over an hour late for the check-up and perhaps the calm presence of a confident-looking Sikali had an adverse effect on Hawk.
So, with the talking left to Mnguni, Makepula's focus is on reclaiming the title from a man who claims he is the only hurdle in life that Makepula will never overcome.
"The first time we fought he claimed that I could not knock out a sick man suffering from cramps, forgetting that I was still recovering from the scars of a car accident just weeks before I fought him," said Sikali.
"This time I'm in even better shape and I am going to teach him (Makepula) a boxing lesson. He is one man that stands between me and international glory now and I doubt if he's learnt anything from our last meeting," said Sikali.
The 32-year-old southpaw has every reason to be confident. His management has already spoken to IBF flyweight champ Irene Pacheco's camp with the possibility of matching the two boxers towards the end of the year, should Sikali beat Makepula.
Sikali's trainer Harold Volbrecht is already planning ahead, confident that the champion carries too much ammunition for Makepula.
"It's going to be another great fight, but the quest to challenge for bigger things in life should spur Mzukisi to greater heights," said Volbrecht.
"Fortunately for him he's matured late in life and is hungry for action, having last fought against Makepula. It's a pity that a defeat for Makepula could spell doom for his once-flourishing
career. He is not a natural flyweight and I feel he should have moved up a division a while ago.
"He is going to find it very difficult to make a boxing comeback once Sikali is done with him," said Volbrecht.
Makepula has been in Johannesburg for some days now and should have no problem adapting to the climate.
But with his career at the crossroads and Sikali's sights already set on a date with Pacheco, the Hawk will need some divine intervention if he is to reclaim his title and revive his waning boxing fortunes.