Msimango outpunches local boy to win SA title

By Mxolisi Ntshuca

EAST LONDON -- Gauteng's Stephen Msimango became the new South African boxing strawweight champion when he won the vacant title by stopping Mdantsane's Neo Seboka in the fifth round at the Orient Theatre here yesterday.

The first round indicated what was in store for the fans as the two fighters revealed different fighting styles -- the taller Seboka wanting to keep the fight at the end of his gloves while the muscular Msimango wanted to fight at close range.

Seboka initially appeared to succeed in his strategy as he kept Msimango away with his jab, but was staggered by two solid right wallops.

Msimango drew first blood when he dropped Seboka twice in the second round, even though the local fighter beat the count on both occasions.

However, the writing was on the wall for Seboka, who did not have the punching power of Msimango. His legs wobbled every time he was caught by Msimango.

Towards the end of that round, Seboka dropped Msimango for a count, but the punch did not hurt him.

In the third round exhaustion was clearly visible on Seboka's face, but he managed to keep Msimango at the end of his blows, even as Msimango peppered him with his combinations.

From the fourth round, Msimango quickly gained the upper hand as he caught Seboka with a variety of blows.

In the next round, Msimango exerted more pressure and while Seboka was retreating, Msimango caught him with a well-timed straight right which sent Seboka straight to the canvas.

Referee Lulama Mtya counted out a dazed Seboka.

In the main supporting bout, Mdantsane's Themba Shicila easily outpoin-ted Zwelitsha's Vuyani Moss in their eight-round scheduled fight.

But, the most interesting fight in the under card was a six-round junior-flyweight contest between Ndoda Mayende and Alton Makinana.

This fight was meant to be just a warm-up for Mayende, but it nearly became his worst nightmare as a game Makinana rocked him with solid combinations.

Mayende was forced to burn all his cylinders in order to overwhelm his opponent.

After a fierce encounter midway through the fight, Mayende caught Makinana with a solid upper cut in the solar plexus.

Makinana went down and failed to beat the count.

Results of other bouts were:

Six rounds: Junior-welterweight, Never Mzaifani beat Mzwanele Sam by a TKO in the third; strawweight, Luyanda Ngqongonya beat Luyanda Loliwe on points.

Four rounds: Junior-bantamweight, Thozamile Semekazi beat Vuyani Kheswa on points; featherweight, Mluleki Roji and Siyabulela Myokwana drew; strawweight Gqibelo beat Simphiwe Rani on points.