By Monwabisi Jimlongo
Newly-crowned South African junior-lightweight champion Sibusiso Zingange gambled when he took a three weeks unpaid leave from his job as a Bolt driver in pursuit of national glory.
The gamble paid off as Zingange from Boksburg put up a polished performance and dominated former champion Phila Mpontshane at the EFC Centre in Johannesburg on Thursday evening. Zingange outboxed and outclassed the 31-year-old Mpontshane from Mdantsane.
“It was a nice fight for me and I’m very happy that I have finally become a South African champion. We planned very well for this fight and my conditioning was great as we knew that Mpontshane has power. I had to take leave from my job as a Bolt driver because I wanted to fulfil my dream of becoming a South African champion,” Zingange said.
All three judges gave the 29-year-old Zingange, who fought four times last year, the nod. Pumeza Zinakile’s score card read 120-109, David van Niewenhuizen scored it 118-109 while Simon Mokadi had Zingange winning by 120-109.
Meanwhile, the loss robbed Mpontshane of an opportunity to become the outright owner of the belt having defended the title four times before meeting Zingange.
