By Lwazi Ndzobongo: Osborne Machimane, 22-4, retained his South African Heavyweight title by stopping Bully Muravha, 7-5-1, in the eighth round. The action came from the NASREC Centre, south of Johannesburg. Machimane knocked down the challenger twice and after the second time Muravha was unable to carry on forcing the referee to stop the fight.
Machimane looked overweight coming into this fight and was 24 kg’s heavier than his opponent Muravha. It was all Muravha in the first three rounds, he was busier, using good foot movement, attacking the body and there was very little was coming back from the flat footed Machimane. ‘Big Daddy’ as Machimane is affectionately known had a much better fourth. He was able to use his jab on the much smaller Muravha, he landed a few right hands as well.
The fifth round was more equal with Muravha the busier but Machimane was able to land with both his jab and right land, Muravha was taking the punches well and was giving his own back. In the sixth round Muravha was gaining confidence and started trading with the bigger man, Machimane was now landing his right hand with ease on the static Muravha. Machimane’s heavy handedness was taking effect on Muravha in the seventh, who was now trading toe to toe with the big guy and coming off second best, his movement was disappearing and Machimane was gaining the upper hand. Machimane was warned for a low blow and Muravha took some time to recuperate.
The ending came in the eighth round when the bigger Machimane wore down the lighter Muravha who was tired and hand little left in the tank. A three punch combination forced Muravha to take a knee and even though he got up, he didn’t last long before another Machimane combination sent him to the floor and this time he didn’t want to carry on.
In the main supporting bout, at super middleweight, the experienced Emmanuel Duma, 12-15-1(6), paid the price of taking lightly, Hanson Baloyi 3-0 (3). Duma a veteran of three times the fights Baloyi had was left floored on his backside after 2.00 of the second round. After an equal firstt round, Baloyi started the second the busier, keeping Duma close and landing useful punches. The end came via a straight right hand that sent the southpaw Duma on his bum and he was unable to beat the count.
March 7, 2010
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