By Lwazi Ndzobongo: Emperors Palace the home of South African boxing had an exciting night of boxing on Saturday the 31st of October.
This Halloween night provided little scares but many pounding right and left hands that left opponents sprawled on the floor. Four out of the five fights didn’t make it to their schedule distance, however a rather disappointing crowd came out to see this action, I guess with the soccer (Amakhosi for life) and rugby (Blou Bulle) earlier, South African fans had a lot of sports to savour. None was as exciting as the action ditched out at the Palace of Dreams!
The action kicked off with two professional debutants, Flofent Simba taking on Bernard Vance at catchweight over four rounds. As soon as the audience were seated, Simba managed to land a straight right that sent Vance to the floor, with continued pressure and almost sending Vance flying outside the ring, the referee put an end to the bout at 2.26 of the first round. Simba made a successful pro debut and with Brian Mitchell as his manager, a lot is expected of this 20 year old!
The second bout of the evening saw the all action Hekkie Budler defend his IBO All Africa Junior Lightweight against Motswake Moselesele. Hekkie stayed true to his all action style and landed a straight right that sent Moselesele to the canvas for the mandatory standing eight count, for good measure he did it again.
Budler was then all over his opponent and when a big left hook landed and little action coming back from Moselesele, the referee had no choice but to save Moselesele from the ‘Hexecutioner‘, as Budler is affectionately known. Official time was 2.32 seconds into the first of a schedule 12 rounds. Budler improves to, 14-0(5), and Moselesele falls to 7-2-1(4).
Next was Isaac Chilembe’s challenge for the ABU/WBC International Light Heavyweight against the unbeaten Doudou Ngumbu. This was the only bout to go all 12 rounds, but it was not due to any lethargy by the 2 boxers, just that neither of them possessed the power punch. In an exciting bout, Chilembe used his superior boxing skills to outwit and outmanoeuvre the head hunting Ngumbu. Both boxers were hurt at one point or another but Chilembe was able to finish stronger and was crowned the new ABU/WBC International Light Heavyweight Champ after the 12 rounds by unanimous scores of 117-112, 115-113 and 118-113. Chilembe improves to 14-1(8) and Ngumbu drops to 20-1(9).
In the grudge fight of the evening, Mlungisi Dlamini and Zolani Marali battled it out for the vacant IBO Lightweight title. Both boxers had promised to punish the other come fight night and after almost four slow rounds Dlamini was able to land his first power punch of the evening and it was lights out for Marali at 2.59 seconds of the fourth round. The knockout came via a straight right and was a bit of a surprise as Marali had controlled the fight from the outside and didn’t allow the shorter Dlamini anywhere near him. It seemed like Dlamini was getting frustrated and he unleashed all that on Marali with that bout ending right hand. Dlamini improves to 21-0-1 and looks the finished article he is thought to be even though he didn’t show much this fight besides the right hand to end the fight. Marali 20-4 will have to sit down and map out a way forward if there is one, he has lost his last two by knockout, he is 32 years old and his inability to take a big punch leaves him with very little options!
In the last bout of the evening, showcasing SA’s best young talent, 21 year old Tommy Oosthuizen against the big punching Tshepang Mohale fighting for the WBA Pan African Super Middleweight Title. It was a battle of wits while it lasted but Oosthuizen’s powerful straight left settled things at 48 seconds into the fourth round. Oosthuizen used his jab early on and fought from a distance while Mohale was looking to land a big punch on his younger foe, at any given moment the fight could end based on the power both men possessed but it was Oosthuizen who was able to land the big one first. Oosthuizen improves to 11-0(9) and by defeating the SA champ and winning his third title of the year he is making a big name for himself and he has a big future in the boxing fraternity. Mohale falls to 6-3(5) and he is still young enough at 27 and with his power you can never count him out.
The night was littered with boxing celebrities, from Brian Mitchell, Dingaan Thobela, Andre Thyse, Baby Jake Matlala, Philip and Lovemore Ndou amongst others. Great night of boxing at the Palace!
|
Subscribe to feed
