When Ricardo Malajika awoke on Sunday morning, it was as a double world champion after a sensational performance the night before. 
There had been much speculation about his showdown against IBO flyweight champion Jackson Chauke, but few dared to predict that the younger champion would blow him away inside two rounds.
But that’s exactly what happened at Emperors Palace as “Magic Man”, resplendent in pink trunks, tore into Chauke from the off. The difference in speed and approach was immediately evident, Malajika fighting fast on the front foot and Chauke immediately in defensive mode.
Expectations were that Chauke, a wily veteran, would weather any early storm through his boxing smarts, but the power of Malajika – even at the lower weight given that he’s a natural junior bantamweight and holder of the IBO’s title in the higher division – was telling.
Setting him up with his educated jab, Malajika got his breakthrough in the second with a short, sharp combination that sent him tumbling. He looked to be out, but after rising on unsteady legs, barely beat the count.
Chauke had nowhere to hide. A cracking shot to the body by Malajika was the beginning of the end. Another flurry of vicious punches to the head brought an end to the dignified champion, who was again sent to the deck, this time for the full count.
It was an extraordinary performance by the new champion, doing to Chauke what no one ever had – knocking him clean out. There wasn’t a single misstep in Malajika’s performance as he lived up to the hype as one of South African boxing’s most supreme talents.
Chauke, now almost 40, has hit the end of the road and retirement clearly beckons.
Malajika, meanwhile, is now the boss of his domain and won’t easily be beaten.
THYSSE EDGES SHINIMA
In the main undercard bout, Brandon Thysse was given all the trouble he could handle against rough, tough Charles Shinima of Namibia.
Fighting for the WBC’s Africa super welterweight belt, Thysse won a majority decision (95-95, 96-94, 97-93) that puts him in a strong position for more big fights.
After a tepid start, the two got stuck into each other, Shinima cleverly closing down the space to inhibit Thysse’s long range attack. The visitor soon turned the outing into a brawl, holding and wrestling round after round to frustrate Thysse.
Niceties were left at the door as the pair fought ugly. Shinima had the better of the early going, but Thysse, who was up for the street fight, gave as good as he got and edged the latter rounds to earn the decision. 
TITANS TURN IT ON
In the first bout of the “Rising Titans” light heavyweight tournament, Bryan Thysse and Tuvia Wewege produced a mini-classic and early contender for fight of the year. 
Having eaten a pile of left hands thrown by southpaw Wewege, Thysse appeared fortunate to win a split decision (75-76, 77-75, 77-75) that nevertheless maintains his unbeaten record (6-0) and likely positions him as title favourite for the final on May 31.
Wewege wasn’t intimidated by Thysse’s reputation as the coming man and went after him early. He was able to force the action and broke Thysse’s rhythm with a relentless attack. His left hand worked a charm but Thysse never stopped coming and was happy to engage in a wild brawl that left the fans happy.
Despite being badly cut above the right eye, Thysse kept his head and was able to hold Wewege off by the slimmest of margins.
In the other semifinal, there was another split decision with Michael Head edging Bonginkosi Nhlapo 77-75, 76-75, 75-77 in a nip and tuck affair. 
The pair had boxed to a draw in 2023, so it was a measure of revenge for Head, who kept pace with Nhlapo in a tactical battle with few highlights. The two were well matched and neither was able to dominate at any point, although Head’s grit and guile were enough to satisfy two of the judges.
PROMNICK POWERS ON
In the show opener, Tyler Promnick comfortably moved to 2-0 with a third-round win against debutante Emma Mohono. 
Boxing with a high guard, Promnick was sharp and accurate as she built up a head of steam. The southpaw produced a steady body attack that’s soon had her opponent wilting.
By the third she was so in control that after another sustained flurry, the referee mercifully called off the action with Mohono still on her feet, but clearly out of it.
