DUNCAN Village boxer Xolisani Ndongeni was surprisingly taken the distance by veteran Themba Shicila before escaping with a majority points decision to retain his SA junior lightweight crown yesterday.
The undefeated champion was expected to put the veteran Shicila in his place. In the first few rounds he appeared on course to fulfilling these expectations as he unloaded with big punches.
Abandoning his technique, Ndongeni, who often makes bold predictions ahead of his fights, charged at the southpaw challenger and rammed wild blows, many of which missed the target.
Putting power behind every punch he threw, Ndongeni, nicknamed “Nomeva”, was hellbent on ending the fight early, allowing the more savvy Shicila to use his superior technique to make Ndongeni pay every time he missed.
Shicila also benefited from rather poor refereeing – he was allowed to get away with too much holding without warning.
By the middle round the frenetic pace, which was set by the 23-year-old champion, began to take a toll on the 37-year-old challenger.
Shicila stumbled on unsteady legs as fatigue sank in, surviving only by holding his opponent.
In the ninth round he went down from a grazing right hand, but the fall was ruled a slip.
However, the veteran appeared to have received a new lease on life from the 10th round thanks to incredible conditioning from his new trainer, Vido Madikane.
Shicila surprisingly took the fight to Ndongeni behind a stinging right jab before landing repeatedly upstairs with left handers.
With the fight taking a surprising turn, Shicila pressed the action, even drawing blood from Ndongeni’s nose.
Ndongeni decided to stop being aggressive and invited Shicila to come in, and the veteran obliged.
Two of the judges scored the fight in Ndongeni’s favour by 118-110 and 116-113, while the third turned in an even scorecard.
lIn the main bout of the evening at East London’s Orient Theatre, Zolani Marali retained his World Boxing Federation junior welterweight crown when he outpointed Mzolisi Yoyo.
Marali used his superior boxing to take the fight.
Other boxing results: Loyiso Velleman DR Nasiphi Mdlangazi (jnr bantam); Vusumzi Bhevu W Vuyolwethu Sirayi (feather); Ndikho Magadaza DR Siseko Nkohliso (mini-fly)
Ndongeni sweats for win
The undefeated champion was expected to put the veteran Shicila in his place. In the first few rounds he appeared on course to fulfilling these expectations as he unloaded with big punches.
Abandoning his technique, Ndongeni, who often makes bold predictions ahead of his fights, charged at the southpaw challenger and rammed wild blows, many of which missed the target.
Putting power behind every punch he threw, Ndongeni, nicknamed “Nomeva”, was hellbent on ending the fight early, allowing the more savvy Shicila to use his superior technique to make Ndongeni pay every time he missed.
Shicila also benefited from rather poor refereeing – he was allowed to get away with too much holding without warning.
By the middle round the frenetic pace, which was set by the 23-year-old champion, began to take a toll on the 37-year-old challenger.
Shicila stumbled on unsteady legs as fatigue sank in, surviving only by holding his opponent.
In the ninth round he went down from a grazing right hand, but the fall was ruled a slip.
However, the veteran appeared to have received a new lease on life from the 10th round thanks to incredible conditioning from his new trainer, Vido Madikane.
Shicila surprisingly took the fight to Ndongeni behind a stinging right jab before landing repeatedly upstairs with left handers.
With the fight taking a surprising turn, Shicila pressed the action, even drawing blood from Ndongeni’s nose.
Ndongeni decided to stop being aggressive and invited Shicila to come in, and the veteran obliged.
Two of the judges scored the fight in Ndongeni’s favour by 118-110 and 116-113, while the third turned in an even scorecard.
lIn the main bout of the evening at East London’s Orient Theatre, Zolani Marali retained his World Boxing Federation junior welterweight crown when he outpointed Mzolisi Yoyo.
Marali used his superior boxing to take the fight.
Other boxing results: Loyiso Velleman DR Nasiphi Mdlangazi (jnr bantam); Vusumzi Bhevu W Vuyolwethu Sirayi (feather); Ndikho Magadaza DR Siseko Nkohliso (mini-fly)
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