Kamanga takes Roman to school at Christmas Cracker
Boxer Paul Kamanga stamped his authority on the welterweight division when he registered an impressive win over Kazakhstan international Roman Zhailauov, for the vacant WBA Pan African welterweight title.
The two clashed at the Golden Gloves Christmas Cracker boxing event, at Emperors Palace, on Tuesday, December 1.
Kamanga, whose superior ring savviness saw him dominate the bout on the night, was crowned champion in the fifth round, following referee Jaap van Niewenhuizen’s intervention two minutes and 18 seconds into the round, to prevent Zhailauov from sustaining more damage.
The win ensured that Kamanga maintains his unbeaten record, improving it to 18 without loss, including nine knock-outs.
The champion did, however, suffer a scare in the second round, when he was caught with a left hook, leaving him on his backside.
The blip forced the DRC native to refocus as he began to turn on the style, landing damaging blows to Zhailauov’s head and body, slowly wearing him down although, to his credit, he held his own in the early stages of the bout.
Kamanga’s relentless attack began to tell in round three, when Zhailauov sustained a nasty bump under his right eye.
With the end result of the bout all but confirmed, Kamanga continued to pick off the unyielding Zhailauov in the fourth, as the bump under his eye grew, making it hard for some in attendance to watch.
The official finally put a stop to Kamanga’s vicious ascendancy in the fifth, albeit late, to officially hand him the victory.
Zhailauov’s record fell to 15-2;9.
In the night’s most closely-contested fight, local favourite Warren Joubert edged out Jason Bedeman in their super lightweight clash, which went the distance. The three officials scored it 77-76 and 77-75 on two cards.
Nenugwi’s corner throws in the towel
Brandon Thysse continued the impressive start to his young professional career with a TKO win over Murendedi Nenugwi, into the second round.
Nenugwi, who was making his professional debut, made it difficult for Thysse to settle, as he kept the distance between the two boxers close, with his forthright approach.
Determined not to lose at any cost, the debutant tried to live with Thysse’s superiority in the first, landing a few reckless blows of his own and even grabbing hold of Thysse’s hand on numerous occasions.
Thysse, son of former South African champion boxer André Thysse, gradually took control of the fight as Nenugwi began to tire.
With the bout steadily developing into a one-sided affair, Nenugwi’s corner decided that they had seen enough and tossed the towel into the ring, literally – saving their fighter and handing Thysse a TKO win, one minute and five seconds into the second round.
The win made it two from two for Thysse, who won his first bout by KO.
Other results:
Junior Welterweight, four rounds: Dair Zhailauov vs Okoha Dibi. Zhailauov won via split decision
Junior Bantamweight, four rounds: Joshua Studdard vs Edward Disloane. Studdard won via TKO in the first round
Junior Flyweight, six rounds: Deejay Kriel vs Thabo Moabi. Kriel won via TKO in the third round
