The Showstoppers boxing tournament, held at Emperors Palace, last Sunday, proved to be one of technical knockouts (TKO).
Only two fights out of the eight scheduled went the full distance while the rest ended via TKO.
It was an action packed event which had the crowd on their feet and chanting for their favourite boxers.
Among the exciting bouts staged was the South African welterweight title bout contested by Shaun Ness and Thulani Mbenge.
The bout’s referee was Dinwiddie resident Jaap van Nieuwenhuizen.
Seconds into the first round, Ness was already knocked to one knee by a firm jab from Mbenge, which proved to be the first of many.
The tables turned when Ness landed an accurate jab to Mbenge’s face causing a cut under his right eye in the fourth round.
Mbenge didn’t seem to be weakened by the cut as he kept attacking Ness with punishing punches.
It seemed the bout would go the full distance until Mbenge, once again, knocked Ness to the ground causing Ness’ trainer to throw in the towel, ending the fight 58 seconds into the seventh round.
Mbenge won by TKO and confidently put on his belt as the new South African welterweight champion.
Full fight card results:
- Featherweight bout: contested by Jay Jay Sonjica and July Masuku. Sonjica won by TKO one minute and 14 seconds into the second round.
- Junior welterweight: Jabulani Makhense vs Sibonelo Nzimande. Makhense won by TKO one minute and 42 seconds into the first round.
- Super middleweight bout: Gabriel Mngadi vs Ricky Tshabalala. Tshabalala won by TKO one minute and 59 seconds into the second round.
- Light heavyweight bout: Gerson Singo vs Rowan Campbell. Campbell won via TKO one minute into the third round.
- Strawweight bout: Xolisa Magusha vs Dee-Jay Kriel. Kriel won by unanimous points decision with two of the judges scoring the bout 77-75 and another 78-74.
- Gauteng junior lightweight title bout: Ashley Dlamini vs Lucky Monyebane. Monyebane won by TKO one minute and 27 seconds into the ninth round.
- South African welterweight title bout: Shaun Ness vs Thulani Mbenge. Mbenge won via TKO 58 seconds into the seventh round.
- International bout: South African Kevin Lerena vs Mexican Sergio Ramirez. Lerena won by unanimous points decision with two judges scoring the bout 73-79 and the other 74-78.
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