South Africa’s former IBO welterweight champion Thulani Mbenge is hoping for a rematch with Germany’s Sebastian Formella after losing his belt on a disputed decision in Hamburg, Germany, last Saturday night.

 

It has been reported that his promoter, Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves Promotions, has advised that there is a venue and re-match clause in the contract, which he will enforce so that Mbenge can have an opportunity to reclaim the belt.

 

In the first fight, Mbenge (15-1; 12) won the first six rounds and then got careless as he began to swing wildly with overhand right hand punches, which Formella (21-0; 10) was able to avoid quite easily throughout the fight.

 

There was very little in it from round seven to 12, with Mbenge still doing enough to have taken the decision even after four warnings for low blows, some of which were borderline, and also having a point deducted in round nine.

 

This could have influenced the judges who scored it 116-112 and 115-112, which was way off the mark.

 

There is no doubt that this was a wakeup call for Mbenge who went into the ring overconfident and underestimating his opponent and not listening to his corner at times.

 

–supersport