Roarke Knapp defeated Brandon Thysse via a split decision to win the vacant African Boxing Union (ABU) Africa junior-middleweight title at the Emperors Palace in Kempton Park on Saturday evening.
This was a fight characterised by fierce exchange of blows between the two boxers from the first to the last round.
In the end, Knapp emerged victorious after two judges Mfundo Mvandaba and Ben Ncapai scored the fight 116-112 and 115-114 respectively in his favour. Thabo Spampool had Thysse winning by 115-113.
This was sweet victory for Knapp, who was stopped in the seventh round by Thysse in November 2019.
Meanwhile, the South African heavyweight title continued to change hands when Chris Thompson beat Josh Pretorius on points.
The title has changed hands four times in less than two years having been won by Tian Fick, Juan Roux, Pretorius and now Thompson.
All the three judges agreed that Thompson had done enough to win both the SA and ABU heavyweight titles. Namhla Tyuluba, Ncapai and Mvandaba scored the fight 120-108.
Thompson dominated from the first round fighting behind the jab and Pretorius had no answer except to wait for a big punch, which never came.
Other results
Beavan Duma beat Bandile Leopeng by a first round technical knockout
Gerhard Thysse defeated Penitence Duma by a second round TKO
Keanu Koopman beat Bongani Ngqulunga by a first round TKO
Samuel Takyi defeated Mandlenkosi Sibuso by a second round TKO
Sazisiwe Simon beat Yolandi Gelderbloem points
