After his fight against Phikelelani Khumalo was called off following an injury to the South African middleweight champion, Yunus S’phiwe Mbhele has consoled himself by winning the KwaZulu-Natal title.
Mbhele, who is trained by Vusi Mtolo in Edenvale, Ekurhuleni, stopped previously unbeaten Bilal Johnson in the third round during their fight at the Urban Space in Durban on Saturday evening.
Mbhele now has a professional record of five wins with three knockouts and a loss. On the other hand, this was Johnson’s first defeat in five fights and before facing Mbhele, he had won all his four fights with stoppages.
Highly-rated Ntethelelo Magcaba cemented his place in the SA junior-bantamweight ratings with a first round technical knockout victory over Ntokozo Mthonti. Magcaba will now fight for the vacant SA junior-bantamweight against Moyisi Booi from East London.
And SA super-middleweight title contender Snamiso Ntuli registered a second round technical knockout win over Thembani Mhlanga in a bout which was scheduled for eight rounds.
Meanwhile, former World Boxing Federation (WBF) junior-bantamweight champion Gcina Makhoba lost for the second time this year after he dropped a points decision against Nkosinathi Sibiya in a six rounds bout.
Makhoba was stopped in the third round by Charlton Malajika at the Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, five months ago.
Other results:
Andile Mntungwa drew with Ayanda Mthembu
Jose Kadima defeated Danny Ngokwey by a second round knockout
Mnelisi Ndlovu beat Anele Kunene on points
Akili Sikhosana outpointed Ayanda Gumede
Akshay Singh defeated Anele Gcwabaza by a third round technical knockout
