Khonco crowned champion
Simphiwe Khonco defeated Eastern Cape rival Siyabonga Siyo via unanimous decision in their 12-round fight to win the vacant IBO minimumweight title at Emperors Palace.
The highly anticipated fight lived up to expectations in the opening rounds as both fighters equally exchanged blows, but the longer the bout went the more inevitable the final decision became.
The new champion had assumed and maintained the upper hand on proceedings before the bout went the distance.
Two judges scored it 116-122 with the last official calling it 118-110, improving Khonco’s (47.54kg) record to 17-6; 7. Siyo’s (47.46kg) record fell to 10-1; 4.
In the first semi-final of the Super Four knockout cruiserweight tournament, Kevin Lerena eased past Argentine Roberto Bolonti over 10 rounds in a rather disappointing fight.
Lerena proved too strong for the 37-year-old Bolonti, who put out a performance suggesting that he was just there to make up the numbers. Two judges scored the bout 97-93, with the third card having it 96-94.
Meanwhile, Joshua Studdard suffered his first professional loss at the hands of Ayanda Nkosi, who deservedly won their junior featherweight face-off on points after six rounds.
In the second semi-final of the Super Four, and easily the most entertaining clash of the evening, Denmark international Micki Nielsen was on the money with his convincing victory over Johnny Muller as the two put on a show.
All three cards had it on 95-94, 96-93 and 98-91 in favour of the visitor as his largely accurate and powerful strikes proved too much for Muller.
The tough Nielsen devastated at times with his blows to Muller’s head and credit must be given to the South African favourite for staying with his impressive adversary.
Muller gradually got a hang of the fight following an overwhelming start by Nielsen, and landed damaging combinations of his own on the Dane’s face, but it ultimately served as consolation.
With the win, Nielsen has put himself on a collision course with Lerena in what promises to be a slobber-knocker of a final later this year.
Fiston Kabamba and Chaz Wasserman drew their light heavyweight fight over four rounds.
