East London boxers cemented their dominance over their Nelson Mandela Bay counterparts when they romped to emphatic stoppage victories at the Lillian Ngoyi Hall in Kwazakhele on Saturday.
The biggest winner was Ayabulela Xatyana when he dominated his experienced foe, Sanele Magwaza, and forced him to quit on his stool at the end of the eighth round to take his provincial junior-featherweight title.
The 20-year-old from Ncerha just outside East London was in control all the way, dropping Magwaza in round three and twice in the seventh before handing him a brutal beating in the eighth.
Except for round one, when he was still studying his opponent, Xatyana took over as he pummelled Magwaza at will to build a healthy lead.
His performance was arguably the best, belying his novice record of four bouts without a loss and three stoppages compared with Magwaza’s 12 bouts.
Xatyana’s trainer, Vuyisa Konzani, was over the moon with the win, describing it as the best for his protégé.
“We were confident going to the fight, but the boy outdid himself,” he said.
“His conditioning was superb and he stuck to the game plan.
“This belt will lead us to bigger fights, but we are in no rush because he is still young.”
Konzani said Xatyana would concentrate on his studies and finish grade 12 at Jonguhlanga Senior Secondary in Ncerha.
In the same show promoted by Uncle Shapes Promotion in association with the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality, Mdantsane’s Lubabalo Kweyi needed just one round to destroy Bandile Daniels to retain his provincial junior-lightweight belt.
Daniels, from Kariega, came with a big reputation of being a knockout artist, having beaten a slew of East London boxers in the amateur ranks.
But he had no answer for Kweyi’s bombs as he was pinned on the ropes while taking a barrage of blows, forcing the referee to end the fight.
Not to be outdone by his homeboys, upstart Sivenathi Adonis from Vergenoeg also took one round to stop Louis Junior Philip in their flyweight bout.
Trained by boxing legend Vuyani Bungu, Adonis registered his second win in as many bouts, by first-round stoppages, to cement himself as the next star in the division.
Former SA Amateur team star Lubabalo Lusizi finally transitioned to the professional ranks when he stopped Yamkela Msila in their junior-bantamweight clash.
Lusizi, from Gqeberha, ditched the amateur vest after a stellar run, winning numerous medals at the international championships.
His professional debut was delayed when he came in overweight in the previous tournament before he finally got the taste of the paid ranks with a systematic dominance of Msila from Cape Town.
Other results: Aphiwe Baxa D4 Lisakhanya Marenene (super-middle); Lelethu Bolo TKO3 Milani George (mini-fly); Rabby Matete W4 Libona Rali (middle); Luzuko Jonas W4 Siyamkela Gqubule (mini-fly).
• Mdantsane’s Sanele Sogcwayi continued with his unbeaten run since turning professional in March when he beat Sabelo Ngebiyane of Komani in a featherweight bout at Cabo Beach Club, V&A Waterfront in Cape Town on Saturday.
The win stretched Sogcwayi’s record to four in as many bouts.
In the same show, Mthatha-born Asekho Nocele retained his WBF international bantamweight title on points over Saul Hlungwani.
Daily Dispatch
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