Wily boxing trainer Mzamo ‘Chief’ Njekanye rescued his boxer Xolisani ‘Nomeva’ Ndongeni from further punishment by American boxer Arnold Barboza Junior on Sunday morning (South African time).
Seeing that the KwaBhaca-born Ndongeni was in the receiving end of the unbeaten Barboza Jr’s blows, Njekanye instructed fight referee Raul Caiz Junior to halt the proceedings after round eight as the American successfully defended his World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Intercontinental junior-welterweight title contest at The Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas.
Unbeaten Barboza Jr dominated the fight from the first gong until Ndongeni’s trainer intervened after seeing that his charge was in serious trouble.
This was the second time that Ndongeni, a former SA junior-lightweight and lightweight champion, got stopped in his career. He suffered a sixth round stoppage loss to Prince Dlomo in October 2020.
The former International Boxing Organisation (IBO) lightweight champion became Barboza Jr’s 29th victim as the American registered his 11th stoppage. On the other hand, the 33-year-old Ndongeni dropped to 31 victories (18 knockouts) and four defeats.
