“The Lion”, who led on points for the duration of the bout, took his professional record to 16-0 with the win, and adding the WBC Silver Belt to his impressive resume, which also includes the IBO All-Africa, IBO Intercontinental, WBC International Silver and WBC International belts.
“This oak (Grachev) is tough to fight,” said the newly-crowned champion.
“He’s a real warrior.”
The three judges scored the bloodied tussle 120-108, 117-111 and 116-112.
Liebenberg, who enjoyed huge crowd support, bled minutes into the first round in a bout that soon turned into a war, when Grachev followed suit with a cut on the side of his head in the fourth.
Liebenberg sustained a cut above his right eye, when which Grachev delivered fast and stinging blows, especially during times when he had the champion pinned in a corner.
The pendulum swung in the 30-year-old local’s favour in the sixth with a full left, which shook the tough Russian.
The two fighters continued to trade blows in the latter stages of the bout with either refusing to back down, with Liebenberg’s jabs doing most of the damage.
Grachev (32), whom most South Africans will remember for giving Liebenberg the fight of his life, finished the fight with a 13-4-1 record, including eight knockouts.
Minister of Sport and Recreation Fikile Mbalula, who led the dignitaries on the night, hailed the organisers of the event following the memorable fight: “Boxing is looking good in the country,” he said.
“To Rodney Berman and Golden Gloves, you guys are superstars. Thank you Emperors Palace and SuperSport,” he concluded.
On the same bill, Thabo Sonjika overcame his disappointment on the scale to pip Philippines international Roli Gasca in another captivating bout.
Despite his win, the Eastern Cape southpaw, who was 2.3kg over the weight limit, forfeited his IBO Junior-featherweight title as a sanction to his failings on the scale 24 hours earlier.
The officials scored the 12-round bout 117-109, 116-109 and 116-109 to hand Sonjika a win via unanimous decision.
Other results:
n Kevin Lerena defeated Marcos Antonio Ahumada (Argentina) via unanimous decision after eight rounds.
n Ashley Dlamini defeated Thanduxolo Gatweni via TKO in the opening round.
n Thabang Ramagole defeated Olwethu Ngamlana via TKO in the third round. -@SabeloBoksburg
