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By Lwazi Ndzobongo: Gideon Buthelezi retained his IBO Junior Bantamweight title against Lucas Fernandez via the 12-round unanimous points decision at the ICC Hotel in East London on Friday night.
The judges scored the bout 117-111, 116-112 and 118-110.
Buthelezi controlled the fight using his boxing skills and avoiding the big fluctuations of Fernandez. A cut was opened over Buthelezi's right eye in the second round, controversial it is thought he had received in preparation for the bout.
Buthelezi was always impressive, making Fernandez miss and punishing him for it. To his credit, Fernandez made a fight and never backed off, took action to the champion making for a nice fight, boxer versus puncher.
There was a moment of panic in the final seconds of the 12th and final lap as Fernandez grabbed Buthelezi with a punch that rocked him and almost put him in his seat of his pants. Buthelezi was able to hold on and pbad the round. In a performance that even the great Nelson Mandela would have been proud of, Buthelezi enthused the crowd at the centenary celebrations of the former president.
Buthelezi improved to 21-5 (4) and Fernandez dropped to 12-1-1 (9).
Yanga Sigqibo won the vacant WBC International Junior Bantamweight title by defeating Rene Dacquell via split point decision over 12 laps. The judges scored 115-111, 109-117 and 114-112.
With the benefit of scope and size, Sigqibo failed to use them to his advantage and achieved a dull performance that one could say that he was lucky to obtain the victory of the judges. He started well round 1, boxing behind the jab and showing off his best boxing abilities. However, early in the second round, he was caught by a forehand on the temple that caused his gloves to touch the canvas, ruled a knockdown according to the rules book, resulting in a standing eight count. It seemed to remove him from his game plan and fight the rest of the fight seemingly scared of being nailed by another big punch.
Sigqibo was happy to land in pairs and then hold on while Dacquell continued to swing wildly in search of the punch. The possession has become so bad that the referee has deducted a point in the final rounds.
Sigqibo failed to impose himself and, on the basis of last night's performances, he will have trouble defending his title.
Sigqibo improved to 11-1 (3) and Dacquell dropped to 20-8 (6).
Other results:
vacant WBA Intercontinental Jnr Bantamweight title: Ulises Lara w tko 3 Ntlantla Ngamntwini
Vacant IBF Welterweight youth title Uganda Nogogo w pts 10 Aziz Uliza
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