IT did not all go his way on his path to eventually beating his opponent, but Ricardo Malajika gave a solid performance against Andile Cindy in his third professional fight.
The Battle Stations boxing tournament opened the season for Golden Gloves and AfricanRing on February 24 at Emperors Palace.
He won his bout by unanimous points decision by the judges, who scored all in his favour, not losing one round, 60/54, 60/54, 60/54.
With this win Malajika gave a stern warning to any future boxer who intends to take him on. His footwork was exceptional and at times Cindy had no clue where the punches were coming from or where his opponent was in the ring.
But Cindy did not give way and came back strongly in the middle of the six-rounder.
Fighting out of the Box Office gymnasium under trainer Anton Gilmore, assisted by Raymond Cerfonteyn, the young prospect of the South, Malajika, had too many loose punches flying around and missed his object in order to plant a knockout.
However, it was only his third professional appearance and as time goes by he will learn not to waste energy in the ring.
In the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) Continental Africa super-lightweight title fight, Clement Kamanga from Unleashed boxing gymnasium, under trainer Lionel Hunter, went down to Marois Matamba. The bout took place over 10 rounds and Kamanga lost by TKO.
In the World Boxing Association (WBA) junior-welterweight title bout, Jabulani Makhense made no mistake as he won by unanimous points decision by the judges over Xolani Mcotheli to capture the vacant title.
The main bout saw Rowan Campbell winning the vacant International Boxing Organisation (IBO) All Africa super-middleweight title when he dispensed of Alex Kabangu over 10 rounds. He won by unanimous points decision by the judges.
In the middleweight bout over six rounds, Augustin Matata won by TKO against Karabo Mokupi.
Tristan Truter and Simphiwe Ntombela opened the proceedings in the junior-middleweight bout over four rounds. Truter won by way of TKO in the second round 2:52 seconds.
The next big fight night will be No Mercy: Box ’n Dine on March 16 at Emperors Palace.
Book your seats with Jeff Ellis on 078 457 3030.
GALLERY:
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