South Africa’s Simphiwe Khonco retained his IBO strawweight belt for the second time when he scored a wide unanimous 12-round points decision over the rugged Filipino Lito Dante at Emperors Palace near Kempton Park on a cold Saturday night.
The scores were 119-109 twice and 118-110.
The 30-year Khonco (47.20 kg) dominated from the opening bell as he piled up the points from behind his educated left jab.
Dante (47.50 kg) was unable to get into the fight and found it difficult to penetrate the tight defence of the South African, possibly only winning one round.
Khonco improved his record to 18-5; 7, and the 27-year-old Dante’s record dropped to 13-4; 7.
MCHUNU WINS TITLES
Thabiso Mchunu (90.50 kg) won the vacant South African and African Boxing Union cruiserweight titles when he outscored Johnny Muller (89.30 kg) over 12 rounds in a disappointing fight that never rose to any heights.
The scores were 120-108 on all three judges’ scorecards
The highly touted Mchunu, 29, who has fought with success in America, was expected to overwhelm the 26-year-old Muller, but spent more time throwing punches below the belt and mauling, and had to be warned on several occasions by referee Thabo Spampool to keep his punches up.
The stronger and more powerful Mchunu out-hustled Muller and was the clear winner at the end.
The southpaw Mchunu improves his record to 18-4; 12, and Muller saw his record drop to 20-8-2; 14.
DYER AND TISSEN FIGHT TO DRAW
In the best fight of the night, South African middleweight champion Lee Dyer (75.20 kg) and Alfonzo Tissen (76.10 kg) fought to a 12-round draw in a clash for the vacant African Boxing Union super-middleweight title.
In a bout fought toe-to-toe throughout the 12 rounds, the 25-year-old Tissen (10-1-2; 5) appeared unfortunate not to receive the decision against the superbly conditioned 36-year-old Dyer (7-3-2; 6).
MBENGE TAKEN THE DISTANCE
South African welterweight champion Thulani Mbenge (66.30 kg) was taken the distance for the first time when he outscored Jay Inson (66.30 kg) from the Philippines over eight untidy rounds.
The scores were 80-71 twice and 79-72.
Mbenge took his record to 10-0-1; 10, and Inson’s record dropped to 13-1; 9.
The tournament was presented by Golden Gloves Promotions.
