IN ONE of the dominant performances by a challenger in South African rings, unknown Xolisani Ndongeni put on a great show to easily dethrone Godfrey Nzimande from his SA junior lightweight title at East London’s Orient Theatre yesterday.
Coming in as a late substitute after original opponent Jasper Seroka pulled out of the fight, Ndongeni was in control from the first round as he easily beat Nzimande to the punch.
It was incredible how Ndongeni, a boxer with just nine professional fights, all without defeat, was able to land his punches at will.
Using his reach advantage and long arms, he thudded in his jabs before stepping out of the way. Then at times he stood his ground and just rained down a flurry of punches which all hit home with surprising ease.
By the 10th round he was so enjoying himself that he even stuck out his tongue at Nzimande’s trainer Nick Durandt to show that he was easily beating his boy.
Nzimande never changed his strategy even though he lost round after round.
He followed Ndongeni around instead of cutting the ring. This strategy made him absorb jab after jab, punch after punch with his face getting puffy as the fight progressed.
Ndongeni’s dominance was confirmed by the judges who all scored the fight in his favaour by scores of 119-109, 119-109 and 119-110.
Hot Duncan Village prospect Nhlanhla “24” Ngamntwini was taken the full distance for the first time in his fifth professional fight but still dominated Malibongwe Ntusanto to a points victory in their mini-flyweight clash.
Ngamntwini, whose boxing is mostly based on athleticism rather than fundamentals, put down Ntusanto in the first and sixth rounds but he could not finish him off as he blindly lunged in and missed primarily because of not sticking to basics such as the jab and using the correct range and balance.
At 20 years of age with just five fights, he still has ample time to develop but would be well advised not to look to knock out his opponents with every punch he throws as that makes his fights clumsy and scrappy when he misses.
In other bouts former star Siyabonga Siyo unleashed a beautiful liver shot to knock out Sinethemba Ralane in two rounds of their mini-flyweight clash.
In a junior lightweight bout Baxolise Mbhexeshi conceded the first round only to come back strong and really lived up to his name which means punishment in Xhosa as he severely punished Jerome Essay with a series of body shots before dropping hard, forcing the referee to call off the carnage.
Other results: Sithembiso Faye W Wiseman Kega (jnr bantam); Wonga Mhlana TKO 2 Mudau Tshifhiwa (jnr light); Xolani Mcotheli TKO 5 Mzwamanene Gcayi (jnr light).
Nzimande loses title
Coming in as a late substitute after original opponent Jasper Seroka pulled out of the fight, Ndongeni was in control from the first round as he easily beat Nzimande to the punch.
It was incredible how Ndongeni, a boxer with just nine professional fights, all without defeat, was able to land his punches at will.
Using his reach advantage and long arms, he thudded in his jabs before stepping out of the way. Then at times he stood his ground and just rained down a flurry of punches which all hit home with surprising ease.
By the 10th round he was so enjoying himself that he even stuck out his tongue at Nzimande’s trainer Nick Durandt to show that he was easily beating his boy.
Nzimande never changed his strategy even though he lost round after round.
He followed Ndongeni around instead of cutting the ring. This strategy made him absorb jab after jab, punch after punch with his face getting puffy as the fight progressed.
Ndongeni’s dominance was confirmed by the judges who all scored the fight in his favaour by scores of 119-109, 119-109 and 119-110.
Hot Duncan Village prospect Nhlanhla “24” Ngamntwini was taken the full distance for the first time in his fifth professional fight but still dominated Malibongwe Ntusanto to a points victory in their mini-flyweight clash.
Ngamntwini, whose boxing is mostly based on athleticism rather than fundamentals, put down Ntusanto in the first and sixth rounds but he could not finish him off as he blindly lunged in and missed primarily because of not sticking to basics such as the jab and using the correct range and balance.
At 20 years of age with just five fights, he still has ample time to develop but would be well advised not to look to knock out his opponents with every punch he throws as that makes his fights clumsy and scrappy when he misses.
In other bouts former star Siyabonga Siyo unleashed a beautiful liver shot to knock out Sinethemba Ralane in two rounds of their mini-flyweight clash.
In a junior lightweight bout Baxolise Mbhexeshi conceded the first round only to come back strong and really lived up to his name which means punishment in Xhosa as he severely punished Jerome Essay with a series of body shots before dropping hard, forcing the referee to call off the carnage.
Other results: Sithembiso Faye W Wiseman Kega (jnr bantam); Wonga Mhlana TKO 2 Mudau Tshifhiwa (jnr light); Xolani Mcotheli TKO 5 Mzwamanene Gcayi (jnr light).
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