Bongani Fule’s team official lodged a challenge for the SA featherweight title on Monday after his impressive stoppage win over Siphesihle Mpolweni at Guild Theatre on Sunday.
The provincial featherweight champion was in scintillating form as he dominated his Makhanda homeboy, dropping him three times en route to a fourth-round stoppage victory.
Pitting friends against each other, the bout was competitive only in the first round when two-fight novice Mpolweni appeared to be on his way to an upset victory while Fule studied him and jockeyed for position to assert his will.
From the second round, the bout began to follow a familiar pattern with Fule walking down his over-matched adversary, dropping him in the round, and literally sending him on his bicycle.
The slaughter was finally halted two rounds later after Mpolweni had visited the canvas twice to hand Fule a fourth stoppage win in seven bouts.
Fule, who is rated second, is carrying the Eastern Cape hopes of returning the SA featherweight title to the province after Zolisa Batyi surrendered it to KwaZulu-Natal’s Lindelani Sibisi in May.
His manager, Ace Mshumpela, said his charge was ready for Sibisi or any champion holding the belt.
“There can never be a time like now for us to bring that title back to the province,” he said.
“We officially submitted the challenge to BSA, and Fule is ready and itching to get his hands on that belt.”
It was the first time Fule had trainer Luvuyo Tyamzashe in the corner after receiving his motorised wheelchair from sports minister Gayton McKenzie.
Not to be outdone, Hlumelo Gingxana and knockout specialist Lonwabo Sizani also recorded crushing knockout victories over their adversaries, with Sizani’s crippling power again coming to the fore most spectacularly.
The 22-year-old laid out Malibongwe Bakalisi with a right hand just seconds into their junior-lightweight clash, cementing his status as the best devastating puncher in the division.
The win stretched his fight record to four bouts, all by stoppages, three in the first round with calls for him to step up in opposition.
Gingxana did likewise when he knocked out Ndibulele Ngqamza in the fourth round of their lightweight duel.
Fighting for the first time since the provincial title fiasco involving Siseko Makeleni, when Makeleni withdrew from their fight, leaving him in the lurch in March, Gingxana appeared to struggle to get past Ngqamza’s height and reach advantage before finally cornering him and turning the lights out in the most brutal manner.
Former amateur star Amzolele Dyeyi continued with his winning ways when he outclassed Bagcina Gowa in the bantamweight scrap.
Fighting under the new management of Colin Nathan, the left-hander was in control all the way, dropping his foe in the process to prevail by scores of 40-35 across the board.
The show presented by KayB Promotions drew a full house despite hosting a boxing show for the first time, with patrons cheering their hearts out.
KayB boss Mzi Booi was thrilled with the attendance, promising to return with an even bigger event.
“This show was beyond our expectations, and I think the management of Guild Theatre could not be prouder of how it was handled,” he said.
Daily Dispatch
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