Big punching matched the big crowd that turned out at Emperors Palace yesterday for the “Thunder and Frightening” development show.
Seven fights produced as many stoppages, a consequence of the all-or-nothing attitude that so often attaches itself to such events. Ironically, the day’s big star was a man who made his professional debut, junior-bantamweight Ricardo Malajika.
A product of Anton Gilmore’s gym, the former six-time SA champion, overwhelmed Nkululeko Mnisi early. It wasn’t the stoppage so much as the style of the stoppage that dropped jaws, chief among them Rodney Berman’s.
“The kid is a sensation,” he enthused. “He fought like a seasoned pro . . . was just unbelievable.”
Berman has no intention to be cautious with the youngster, saying his amateur pedigree practically nixes the need to fight four-rounders.
“I’ll be looking to do an ABU fight very early, perhaps even in the first six months of next year.”
MAKHENSE MOTORS ON
There was also a big win for unbeaten Jabulani Makhense, who had few problems dispatching Gift Bholo in six rounds for the Gauteng junior-lightweight title. Looking every inch a champion in the making, he slowly dismantled Bholo before lowering the boom. Next stop will be a headliner on a Golden Gloves show on February 10.
BOYD PROVES WHO’S BOSS
The much-anticipated pro debut of Boyd Allen matched the hype as the former MMA champion put on a show of class against Lybon Ntshani. Ntshani battled valiantly, but had few answers to the slick and awkward style of Allen, who broke him down in the final round. The loser was taken to hospital with a fractured eye socket.
Said Berman: “Boyd looked very promising and could make waves in the junior-middleweights. This was an important first step.”
Meanwhile, cruiserweight Keaton Gomes was made to work hard by Siphesihle Bottman before prevailing with a late stoppage. Gomes was mostly in control, but his naivete was evident as he struggled to pull the trigger. No matter – with rounds under his belt, he’ll bank the experience and doubtless put it to good effect in his next outing.
MONYEBANE RUNS OUT OF LUCK
Lucky Monyebane is at the crossroads after being stopped late by Paul Mangxilana for the Gauteng junior-lightweight championship. The two produced a terrific scrap, but Mangxilana always had the edge. There was some consolation for Monyebane: Berman gave he and Magxilana an extra R1000 each for their entertaining contribution.
TRUTER TEES OFF
At welterweight, youngster Tristan Truter looked the goods as he stopped Sibonelo Nzimande. But it came only after the Harold Volbrecht protegé had to dig deep against a feisty pro who will give many welterweights a hard time.
MARKRAM GETS THE ‘W’
At light-heavyweight, meanwhile, Michael Markram got back in the win column with a third-round stoppage of Mandla Mpofu. There were few highlights in what was an awkward fight, but Markram pulled the win out of the bag with a one-punch KO to suggest he could yet make waves in the division.
