Phikelelani Khumalo made sure that John Bopape’s dominance over KwaZulu-Natal boxers came to a screeching halt as he dethroned the South African middleweight champion at the Estcourt Hall on Sunday evening.
Khumalo, a former Lamontville Golden Arrows and Maritzburg United Diski Challenge player, dominated throughout the 12 rounds bout.
The new champion decked Bopape three times – in the second, fourth and 11th rounds – on his way to winning the national middleweight championship. Thokozani Ncube’s score card read 108-117,
Eric Khoza scored the fight 109-118 and Hlengiwe Ngubane scored it 109-117.
Previously, Bopape had beaten his last three opponents from KwaZulu-Natal. He defeated Ayanda Mthembu, Snamiso Ntuli and Nkululeko Mhlongo.
Meanwhile, Nkosingiphile Sibisi made a successful second defence of the SA flyweight title after he outpointed Zolile Miya in the main supporting bout.
On the other hand, Nonkululeko Mncube made history when she won the vacant KwaZulu-Natal female junior-bantamweight title thus becoming the first boxer from Mooi River to become a boxing champion.
Oter results:
Xolani Mbatha defeated Banele Ngceba by a second round knockout
Siyanda Makhoba beat Sbongumusa Ngobeni on points
