Dave Apolinario from the Philippines silenced the East London International Convention Centre (ICC) crowd when he stunned veteran boxer Gideon Buthelezi with a first round stoppage.
Fighting for the vacant International Boxing Organisation (IBO) flyweight title against Buthelezi, the unbeaten Filipino made his intentions clear as he showed his Boipatong-born opponent no respect.
Apolinario floored Buthelezi in the first round and referee Lulama Mtya counted him out signalling a loss for the former IBO junior-bantamweight champion, who had gone down to fight in the flyweight division.
This was the second time that a Filipino boxer stopped Buthelezi in the first round during a world title fight. Edwin Dapudong did the same to Buthelezi when they fought in an IBO junior-bantamweight title contest at the Emperor’s Palace in Kempton Park in June 2013.
Other results:
Siphamandla Baleni beat George Kandulo on points
Mthokozisi Ngxaka defeated Mzamo Makibeni by a second round technical knockout
Ncedo Cecane beat Mzolisi Yoyo on points in an exhibition bout
