Machimana beats Nel for SA heavyweight title

Gallery: Machimana beats Nel for SA heavyweight title III 

Gallery: Machimana beats Nel for SA heavyweight title II 

The Ultimate Glory event, in association with Real Steel Promotions, took place at the Birchwood Hotel on Saturday, May 28.

Nel, 47, settled faster than the challenger early on and seemed in control, but with little damage inflicted on Machimana, who’s a decade younger.

The pendulum, however, gradually swung the challenger’s way as his youthfulness came to the fore, with the champion quickly tiring out.

The inevitable became a reality in the fourth as Machimana knocked out the exhausted champion and improved his professional record to 21-8-2; 16.

Nel announced at the end of the match that it was his last fight. He leaves with a dropped 20-12-3; 16 record.

The combined weight of the fighters was a hefty 241.45kg.

In the night’s second title fight for the vacant Gauteng middleweight gold, veteran Barend van Rooyen proved too much for Jade Karam before claiming the title.

Van Rooyen, 38, having his third fight after a 12-year hiatus from the ring, won in the 10th following a dominant display in most parts of the fight.

Meanwhile, Patrick Mukala followed up his explosive start with a devastating KO win in round one over Tineyi Maridzo.

Maridzo tried to fight fire with fire, adopting Mukala’s all-out aggressive approach but the relentless Mukala overwhelmed with his talent.

In the last undercard fight, Brandon Thysse schooled Ntobeko Makeleni in their junior middleweight clash. Thysse sparred his way to victory in round one without breaking a sweat for his fourth KO win in as many outings.

Other results:

Cruiserweight: Justice Silinga defeated Benjamin Hipkins via KO in round one.

Junior middleweight: Roarke Knapp defeated Akon Dibi via TKO in round two.

Junior middleweight: Cowan Ray defeated Phakamani Mthethwa via KO in round two. – @SabeloBoksburg

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