GIYANI - Joseph "Smoking Joe" Makaringe was too strong for the Zambian Bruno Sakabunda in their none title international welterweight fight held at the Giyani Community Hall last Friday evening. Knockout Promotions staged the tournament.

Makaringe dominated two of the three rounds, although Sakabunda gave him some memorable punches that left him with an open wound above his left eye. The fight that was scheduled for ten rounds ended in the third round, as Sakabunda did not respond to the bell signalling the start of the next round. A local boxer, Nkosinathi Tshinavhe, impressed the judges when he collected the majority points in his fight against Sello Taunyane from Gauteng. The referee, Mrs Sylvia Maphangule did injustice to Sello Taunyane by not stopping the fight in the third round, as the latter was down and out.

The junior flyweight division fight between Tshepo Lefele from Gauteng and Ayanda Totolo from Mpumalanga was won by Lefele. The referee Mr A Buqwana stopped the fight in the first round to save Totolo’s life. The other fight that was won by a TKO was between Evans Mbamba from Gauteng and Calvin Sikhanuka. This fight was stopped in the second round. Gerson Singo who was the favourite in his fight against Kenneth Masekwane caused an upset when the referee Wally Snowball stopped the fight in the fourth round. Avhashoni Mbedzi collected more points than his opponent, Martin Manthata in their provincial welterweight title fight.