EFC 65: Dalcha retains title in controversial win

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It tends to be for the wrong reasons, and it was no different at EFC 65 at Carnival City on the evening of Saturday, November 4.

Respected referee Ferdi Basson left fans dumbfounded during the light heavyweight title showdown between the Democratic Republic of Congo’s ‘Champion’ Dalcha Lungiambula and England’s Stuart Austin.

When the ‘Champion’ found himself between a rock and a hard place as early as the first round, with the Englishman on top of him firing damaging lefts and rights, Basson allowed the end-of-round bell to come to his rescue.

Not surprisingly, Lungiambula went into the second round as the overwhelming underdog with a re-configured face.

But the Congolese defied all odds and worked Austin to the canvas before unloading a fierce combination of blows which soon cut Austin open … but this time the referee stopped the fight, allowing the ‘Champion’ to complete an epic comeback.

While Lungiambula deserves credit for his toughness and defiance, he will know that Austin had his beating.

Austin, on the other hand, will have to endure the long flight back to London knowing that he was hard done by.

In the night’s penultimate fight, featherweight star Boyd Allen made his long-awaited return following a year’s absence to roars of appreciation.

Allen (15-3-1) found himself under the cosh in big parts of the opening three rounds, with Calum Murrie looking to finish him off early.

The Scotsman gave the local little chance to settle, but the tide began to turn in Allen’s favour as he gradually worked his way into the fight.

With his experience and ring-savvy showing, Allen began picking the Scot off and gradually wore his opponent down – leaving evidence of his presence on Murray’s face.

The official EFC 65 results are:

• Guy Mongambi defeated Wade Kerspuy via TKO (Punches) 4:27 in round 3.
• Francois Cundari defeated Serge Kasanda via submission (Triangle) 0:34 in round 1.
• Faeez Jacobs defeated Oumpie Sebeko via TKO (Punches) 4:14 in round 2.
• Luke Michael defeated Rodrique KEna via submission (Triangle) 2:56 in round 1.
• Pierre Botha defeated Sibusiso Mdoko via unanimous decision.
• Regis Muyambo defeated Sindile Manengela via split decision.
• Elvis Moyo defeated Nico Yamdjie via split decision.
• Bokang Masunyane defeated Magno Alves via unanimous decision.
• Gavin Hughes defeated Deon Bruning via unanimous decision.
• Boyd Allen defeated Calum Murrie via unanimous decision.
• ‘Champion’ Dalcha Lungiambula defeated Stuart Austin via TKO (Punches) 1:48 in round 2.