BOXING came to a halt in front of a sold out crowd when AfricanRing and Golden Gloves Boxing Promotions in conjunction with Emperors Palace held their last tournament of the year.
Christmas Cracker Box n Dine always marks the end of the boxing calendar and this year was no exception when Emperors Palace once again boasted a full house for this event on Tuesday, December 1.
It was always thought that Paul Kamanga will one day meet his nemesis in the ring, but that day is still far off. Kamanga saved his best for last. The Southerner under the watchfull eye of team Anton Gilmore, who carefully steers this prime built boxer to perfection, once again put up a performance of note.
Kamanga delivered a well put together performance in the welterweight division when he dispersed of Roman Zhailauov from Kazakhstan inside five of the allotted 10 rounds. Kamanga fought the physical fight well while Zhailauov was effective in the inside, but it was in the third round when Zhailauov received a big blow on the right eye, hampering his sight that referee Jaap van Niewenhuizen stopped the bout handing Kamanga the TKO for him to capture the WBA Pan-Africa belt.
In the main undercard Warren Joubert and Jason Bedeman fought in the junior-welterweight division with Bedeman suffering another defeat. Joubert won by unanimous decision 77/76, 77/75 and 77/75.
Deejay Kriel stopped Thabo Moabi in the mini-flyweight division fight in the third round. Brandon Thysse, son of well-known former boxer, Andre Thysse, stopped debutant Marendini Nenungwi in the second round of the junior-middleweight bout. Josh Studdard dispersed of Edward Disolwane in the first round of their junior-bantamweight bout.
Dair Zhailauov, brother of Roman, won his split decision fight over Akoha Dibi in the junior-welterweight bout of the evening.
