Ayanda ‘Fire’ Ndulani wrote his name into fistic history books after he won a world title at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in East London on Friday evening.
Ndulani decked an overweight Joyi four times on his way to winning the vacant International Boxing Organisation (IBO) minimumweight belt. The title became vacant after Joyi failed to make the weight on Friday.
The lad from Scenery Park in East London took the fight to Joyi from the first gong. And a flurry of blows from Ndulani sent Joyi to the canvas in the first round. The bell saved Joyi from a Ndulani onslaught.
Ndulani started the second round where he left off in the previous round decking Joyi twice. Joyi beat fight referee Tony Nyangiwe’s count on both occasions. He was once again saved by the bell.
Joyi fought better in the third round even though it was clear that it was going to be a long night for him. A big right hand from Ndulani in the fourth round sent Joyi to the canvas signalling the end of the fight in one minute and 51 seconds.
Meanwhile, former South African junior-flyweight champion Nhlanhla Tyirha showed why he’s regarded as a force to be reckoned with when he outpointed experienced Filipino boxer Joey Canoy in a 10-round bout.
In another fight, Siphamandla Baleni stopped Nwabisile Cholani in the 11th round to win the vacant SA junior-flyweight title.
