Thulani Mbenge showed his class when he outscored Kuvesa Katembo to capture yet another title.
Mbenge, the former International Boxing Organisation (IBO) welterweight champion, had no scruples to hand out a boxing lesson to Katembo and outscore him to pave his way to another title. He walked away with the Africa Boxing Union (ABU) welterweight title.
In the meantime, Boxing South Africa (BSA) chairperson Peter Ngatane has hailed the success of the TLB Boxing Promotions tournament, which was held in Soweto on October 17.
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Ngatane, who is also the chairperson of ABU, now believes the tournament’s success augurs well for more boxing action.
“I’m very proud that the promotions company put up a good show. We are very proud because the pandemic kept many boxers out of the ring and in poverty.
“The return of boxing gives an opportunity to boxers to earn a living and also gives them enthusiasm to go to the ring. We are very proud that the last two tournaments have been very successful,’’ Ngatane said, referring to the tournament held on October 10.
“I’m very proud that we had a tournament post-Covid, and even though the boxers were ring-rusty they didn’t disappoint. Thulani Mbenge won the ABU title in good style and you could see that his fitness is still there. All other fights were very encouraging.”
Mbenge, meanwhile, has insisted he needed rounds in an effort to show boxing lovers that he can box and fight.
“I’m excited. I needed rounds and I knew I would box this guy. I feel good and I didn’t even feel tired,” he said.
“I wanted to show the other side of me. For me to conquer the world I have to know how to box. I need to do more of this. This is the journey my coach and I are taking.”
Prince Dlomo shocked Xolisani Ndongeni with a sixth-round stoppage and became the first South African boxer to beat Ndongeni.
An underdog going to the fight, Dlomo sent Ndongeni to the canvas with a left hook.
“He is a good boxer and I was shutting his mouth after he said a lot before the fight. I still respect him though and he has a good record. We prepared very well for him as we watched his previous fights. It’s great that I’m the first South African boxer to beat Ndongeni,” said Dlomo.
Losing the fight to Dlomo was a major setback for the KwaBhaca-born former IBO lightweight.
“This is the first time I was knocked down like that. I was managing him until he hit me with that punch, which landed at the right time and took me out,” said Ndongeni.
“I’m not taking this loss very well. This was a bad loss. I took the fight because I wanted to be active. I had planned to go fight in America. I’m in space where I feel that I have failed myself.”
The other results are:
Four rounds:
Junior lightweight:
Mandlenkosi Sibusiso beat Clement Pilusa on points
Six rounders:
Female junior featherweight:
Ellen Simwaka beat Melissa Miller in the third round by TKO.
Junior lightweight:
Lucky Monyepao beat Sifiso Hlongwane on points
Eight rounds:
Junior featherweight:
Thato Bonokoane beat Doctor Ntsele
Ten rounders:
Gauteng lightweight title:
Khaya Busakwe beat Kabelo Bikitsha.
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