Fighting for the first time after almost two years, Aphiwe ‘Swagger’ Boyiya lost to Botswana national, Kutlwano Ogaketse, at the Protea Hotell Marriott in Gaborone on Friday evening.
As a result of Boyiya’s loss, Ogaketse became the new International Boxing Organisation (IBO) Africa junior-welterweight champion.
Following a good start, the 34-year-old Boyiya from Amalinda in KuGompo City sustained a cut after a headbutting in the third round. The cut distracted him throughout the fight.
“We started well until a headbutting in the third round. The fight turned after that. Another thing is that ring rust was evident during the fight as the boy hadn’t fought for some time. Yes, the cut messed things up for us, however, I must point it out that we lost the fight fairly,” Boyiya’s manager, Kholisile ‘KC’ Cengani said.
Prior to fighting against Ogaketse, Boyiya, a former South African junior-lightweight and featherweight champion, last fought when he defeated Lindokuhle Dlamini at the Orient Theatre, KuGompo City, in November 2024. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
