Plans for Makazole Tete to challenge for a world title by December are well and truly in place after the talented Mdantsane boxer scored an unanimous points decision over tough Mexican Armando Torres at the Orient Theatre at the weekend.
However, the Mexican, whose record suggests that he was a handpicked foe, is pleading for a rematch, believing that he did enough to prove his worth.
Indeed, despite his patchy record of 14 defeats in 35 fights, Torres proved his fighting prowess as he pushed Tete all the way and even stole some rounds.
Having shared the ring with the best in the division, the Mexican displayed incredible ability, especially when he pinned Tete on the ropes.
His punching salvoes even made Tete hesitant to attack, although when Tete eventually did, his body work put Torres in a shell.
But Tete never sustained the body attack, resulting in the visitor being able to retaliate, and even shade Tete in certain rounds.
Two judges had Tete winning by way-off-the-mark scores of 119-109 and 118-110, when the fight was much closer.
It was the third score of 115-113 that reflected what had happened in the ring.
Tete described Torres as a tough foe, adding that he had not expected anything less from the Mexican after watching tapes of him in action before the fight.
“I knew that I had to work my butt off to beat him, but he gave me a hell of a fight,” Tete said.
Tete’s promoter Ayanda Matiti, who staged the fight under the Xaba Promotions and Events banner, said he would make sure that his unbeaten star challenged for a world title by December.
“He did what we wanted him to do; now the next fight should be for a world title,” Matiti said.
Another NU12 Mdantsane fighter, Macbute Sinyabi, put up a mighty struggle to beat late substitute Sydney Maluleka in their IBO Intercontinental featherweight title clash.
Sinyabi started off well, using his superior skills, but Maluleka came back strongly towards the end, using his looping right hand.
The outcome of 115-113 twice, and 115-112, was roundly protested against by Maluleka, even though he should take some of the blame for choosing to clown rather than press on in the action.
The night belonged to Xolani Mcotheli, who ruthlessly cut Vusumzi Tyatyeka down to size to claim the IBO International lightweight crown.
Having promised to stop Tyatyeka, Mcotheli lived up to expectations and underlined his readiness to take on the best in the lightweight division, including rival Xolisani Ndongeni.
Displaying poise and precision, Mcotheli has rebounded from his loss against Malcolm Klassen, and would be even money in a rematch between the two, judging by his latest performance.
Other results saw Mfusi Maxhayi putting forth his best performance when he went toe-to-toe with Bongani Mahlangu, before losing in a 116-112, 116-113 and 115-113 decision.
Aphiwe Mboyiya prevailed on the night, earning a split decision over Sibusiso Zinganga to take the IBO All Africa junior lightweight belt.
Tete gathers steam for a crack at world crown
However, the Mexican, whose record suggests that he was a handpicked foe, is pleading for a rematch, believing that he did enough to prove his worth.
Indeed, despite his patchy record of 14 defeats in 35 fights, Torres proved his fighting prowess as he pushed Tete all the way and even stole some rounds.
Having shared the ring with the best in the division, the Mexican displayed incredible ability, especially when he pinned Tete on the ropes.
His punching salvoes even made Tete hesitant to attack, although when Tete eventually did, his body work put Torres in a shell.
But Tete never sustained the body attack, resulting in the visitor being able to retaliate, and even shade Tete in certain rounds.
Two judges had Tete winning by way-off-the-mark scores of 119-109 and 118-110, when the fight was much closer.
It was the third score of 115-113 that reflected what had happened in the ring.
Tete described Torres as a tough foe, adding that he had not expected anything less from the Mexican after watching tapes of him in action before the fight.
“I knew that I had to work my butt off to beat him, but he gave me a hell of a fight,” Tete said.
Tete’s promoter Ayanda Matiti, who staged the fight under the Xaba Promotions and Events banner, said he would make sure that his unbeaten star challenged for a world title by December.
“He did what we wanted him to do; now the next fight should be for a world title,” Matiti said.
Another NU12 Mdantsane fighter, Macbute Sinyabi, put up a mighty struggle to beat late substitute Sydney Maluleka in their IBO Intercontinental featherweight title clash.
Sinyabi started off well, using his superior skills, but Maluleka came back strongly towards the end, using his looping right hand.
The outcome of 115-113 twice, and 115-112, was roundly protested against by Maluleka, even though he should take some of the blame for choosing to clown rather than press on in the action.
The night belonged to Xolani Mcotheli, who ruthlessly cut Vusumzi Tyatyeka down to size to claim the IBO International lightweight crown.
Having promised to stop Tyatyeka, Mcotheli lived up to expectations and underlined his readiness to take on the best in the lightweight division, including rival Xolisani Ndongeni.
Displaying poise and precision, Mcotheli has rebounded from his loss against Malcolm Klassen, and would be even money in a rematch between the two, judging by his latest performance.
Other results saw Mfusi Maxhayi putting forth his best performance when he went toe-to-toe with Bongani Mahlangu, before losing in a 116-112, 116-113 and 115-113 decision.
Aphiwe Mboyiya prevailed on the night, earning a split decision over Sibusiso Zinganga to take the IBO All Africa junior lightweight belt.
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