Siyakholwa Kuse did what no other KuGompo City boxer in the Eastern Cape had done before as he became the first pugilist from the city and province to rule in the World Boxing Council (WBC).
This came after Kuse won the WBC minimumweight title following a points win over tough Filipino boxer Melvin Jerusalem at the Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, on Saturday evening.
It was a great birthday present for Kuse, who turns 27 on Tuesday, as all the three referees nodded in agreement saying that he had done enough to dethrone Jerusalem. South African ring official Thabo Spampool ‘s scorecard read 116-111, David John Irving from Northern Ireland had Kuse winning by 116-112 while Filipino judge Jerrold Tomeldan gave him the fight by 115-112.
Kuse, who is trained by Manny Fernandes at the Brian Mitchell Boxing Academy in Edenvale, Gauteng, was getting a second bite at the WBC minimumweight title after Jerusalem outpointed him in Manila, Philippines, in October last year.
Saturday’s fight was indeed not easy for Kuse as Jerusalem showed that he came to South Africa to fight and fight he did. Jerusalem even scared South African boxing fans when he decked Kuse in the 11th round.
Meanwhile, former South African junior-welterweight champion Ntethelelo ‘Baby G’ Nkosi drew with Sibusiso ‘Mabhere’ Zingange, an erstwhile SA junior-lightweight titlist.
On the other hand, Juan Alberts remained unbeaten record after he defeated Akani Phuzi by a split decision and Andre Mulumba defeated Douglas Ntounta on points while Jose Kadima stopped Johnny Muller in the first round.
