Prince Ndlovu from Malamulele is the new provincial featherweight champion after beating Sydney Maluleke on points during the professional boxing tournament at the Thohoyandou Town Hall last Saturday evening.

Ndlovu, who went to Saturday’s bout with seven wins out of 11 fights since he turned professional, convincingly dominated the first six rounds of the 10-round bout.

A new provincial bantamweight champion, Klaas Mboyane, was also crowned during the tournament. He beat Pfariso Neluvhalani by a TKO in the sixth round. The referee, Mr Ben Ncapai, was forced to stop the fight as Neluvhalani was taking severe punishment. He was knocked down twice before the referee came to his rescue.

Rofhiwa Nemushungwa from Tshifudi village was too strong for Thizwilondi Nempandoni. Although their junior featherweight bout was scheduled over six rounds, it only lasted only four. An uppercut on the nose forced Nempandoni to concede defeat. At that stage, Nempandoni was bleeding profusely from the nostrils.

Hamisi Guluka from Tanzani beat Tshifhiwa Munyai on points. It was an evenly contested bout, but judges Zinakile, Mani and Mathoho ruled in favour of Guluka.

Vincent Mulaudzi beat Ali Muhammed Salman in their catchweight bout. It took Mulaudzi only 52 seconds to bring Salman down to the floor. Reuben Kadiaka could not match Nyelisani Thagambega and was defeated with a TKO in the first round, while Tswarelo Motswene from Mahwelereng beat Moloko Phela on points in their flyweight bout over  four rounds.