THOHOYANDOU – Xolana Mayana of the Eastern Cape became the new South African flyweight champion, when he beat Patrick Twala from Gauteng on points at the Thohoyandou Indoor Sports Centre last Friday evening. The tournament was staged by Tshiawelo Boxing Promotions.

The local up-and-coming professional boxer, Nkosinathi Tshinavhe, registered his 12th victory in a row, when he beat his Gauteng based opponent, Jacob Mhlabi. The referee, Mr T Ngangiwe, was left with no choice but to stop the fight in the fifth round to save Mlhabi’s life. At that stage Tshinavhe was throwing killer punches into Mhlabi’s face.

The light middleweight fight between Sipho “Delta” Mukhithi and Sam Mzwanile from the Eastern Cape, which was scheduled for six rounds, ended one round before the scheduled time. This one too, was stopped by the referee, Mr A Buqwana, in the fifth round. The Eastern Cape boxer was bleeding from his nose and mouth when the referee declared it a TKO for Mukhithi. That was the tenth win for Mukhithi, who has so far fought 18 fights since he became a professional.

The first bout featured the local boxers, Balanganani Ndou and Justice Hlungwane. It was scheduled for four rounds and was fought to the bitter end. Ndou collected the majority of the points in the fight.

The lightweight fight between Rialivhuwa Makhanthisa and Michael Phiri, both from the local stables lasted less than two rounds. The referee, Mr J Chaane, stopped it two minutes and 55 seconds into the second round, declaring it a TKO for Phiri, who was all over Makhathisa from the start.

Phathutshedzo Dongola impressed the judges, when he beat Molefi Banyane with points in their light featherweight fight. This was the fifth win for the promising Dongola.