Johannesburg-based trainer Sean Smith is proud of his boxer Thulani ‘Evolution’ Mbenge after he reclaimed the International Boxing Organisation (IBO) welterweight title in England on Saturday evening.
It took Mbenge more than five years to reclaim the IBO title as he defeated Michael McKinson from United Kingdom by a unanimous decision at the Copperbox Arena in London.
Mbenge got the nod from all three judges with Bob Williams and Giulio Piras giving him the fight by 116-112 while Mikael Hook’s score card read 117-111.
“Great fight. I was very, very emotional. This was nine years of work and commitment on the line. It was a make or break, so it was hard, I won’t lie. Thank God, Thulani pulled through. I feel very relieved and very proud,” Smith said.
The 33-year-old Mbenge, a two-time South African welterweight champion, lost the IBO title to German boxer Sebastian Formella in Germany in July 2019. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
