The Emperor's Palace Casino in Kempton Park, South Africa was the scene of one of the best fights of the year to date when unheralded domestic featherweight champion Malcolm Klassen shocked those at ringside by outfighting IBF 130lb Champion Gairy St. Claire to take a twelve round decision by comfortable margins.
Despite stepping up a division and campaigning for the first time at super feather in over seven years, Klassen fought St. Clair straight up and gave the Australia based champion fits.
Rather than operate on the outside, Klassen took the fight to his rival and emerged with superb results, taking the IBF title by way of split decision 118-112, 117-111 and 113-115.
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