Alan Toweel Boxer clinches the ABU vacant title

Boxers of the Alan Toweel Boxing Gym stole the show with the most technical knockout (TKO) victories during a boxing tournament hosted by Supreme Boxing Promotions on 11 June.

The tournament was held at a packed Blairgowrie Recreation Centre where boxing fans witnessed seven mind-blowing bouts from different boxing divisions.

The main fight was between rivals Rofhiwa Maemu and Prince Ndlovu, who fought for the vacant African Boxing Union (ABU) SADC Featherweight title in a bout scheduled for 12 rounds.

Maemu (25) who trains at Alan Toweel Boxing Gym in Linden, stunned the crowd and even his coach after defeating Ndlovu by TKO in the second round.

“Honestly I didn’t expect this knockout,” trainer Toweel said after the fight. He added that a lot of strategic punch training went in preparing Maemu for the fight.

“We’ve been working on his short punches. He works so hard and he deserved it,” Toweel praised his boxer.

Maemu, weighing 57kg, had to level the score against Ndlovu after losing against him seven years ago. “I’m one of the top featherweights in South Africa. Prince and I fought way back during the beginning of my boxing career,” he said.

Toweel, who has had the privilege to coach both fighters, compared the two and highlighted their strengths. “I know Prince, I trained him for two years and he’s a good defensive fighter, is a very good counterpuncher and he can take a punch. But Rofhiwa has got power that you can’t see which is underestimated.”

The champ said his victory was a result of his hard work and dedication. “I’ve always been working in each and every fight that I face. I’ve always been a hard worker at the gym and I knew that one day I will become a champ,” he said, adding that he looks forward to defending his title in the future.

The tournament also consisted of another enthralling six-round Junior Welterweight fight between Toweel’s fighter Jeffery Magagane and Willis Baloyi. The fight was full of entertaining moments as both fighters played tricks on each other and kept the crowd abuzz with their manoeuvres. Magagane won on points.

The results:

Fight 1: Lightweight (four rounds) Kabelo Bikitsha knocked out Sifiso Khuzwayo of Alan Toweel Boxing Gym.

Fight 2: Junior Featherweight (four rounds) Nyiko Ndukula of Alan Toweel Boxing Gym lost on points against Khatiso Hlahane.

Fight 3: Featherweight (four rounds) Sifiso Hlongwane of Alan Toweel Boxing Gym knocked out Lerato Bonokoane.

Fight 4: Cruiserweight (four rounds) Akani Phuzi knocked out Akim Tijani

Fight 5: Junior Lightweight (six rounds) Hloni Maboko knocked out Akim Tijani.

Fight 6: Junior Welterweight (six rounds) Jeffery Magagane of Alan Toweel Boxing Gym won on points against Willis Baloyi.

Fight 7: African Boxing Union SADC Featherweight Title (12 rounds) Rofhiwa Maemu knocked out Prince Ndlovu.