Thinumzi Gqola made yet another successful South African minimumweight title defence as he defeated mandatory challenger Athanathi Mxoli via a unanimous decision at the Orient Theatre in KuGompo City on Friday evening.
In a fight which Gqola clearly dominated, all three judges – Lulama Mtya (119-111), Siphiwo Mbini (118-110) and Thandi Ngodwana (116-112) – found it very easy judge as they nodded in agreement.
Gqola was making a second defence of the national title he won after he outpointed former champion Mthokozisi Ngxaka in Johannesburg last August. Ngxaka’s handlers disputed the outcome of the fight and called for the review of the bout.
The review of the bout, which was done by judges from three different provinces said that Ngxaka had won something that forced a rematch between him and Gqola. The Duncan Village-born Gqola once again outpointed Ngxaka during their second fight in December last year.
Meanwhile, former SA junior-bantamweight champion Lwando Mgabi, who was fighting for the first time at junior-featherweight division after moving up two divisions, beat Thabang Mofula on points.
