Hilongwa Defeats Twani In Windhoek Super Fly Thriller
In an outstanding fight and one of the best seen in Namibia in many years, Joseph “Smokey†Hilongwa produced a mercurial performance by outworking a never say die Sibusiso Twani of South Africa to win the vacant World Boxing Federation Intercontinental Super Flyweight title on Friday (March 29).
The pair went toe-to-toe in a clash promoted by Ludwig Haimbodi and Warriors Promotion, with WBF President Howard Goldberg at ringside taking in the magnificent action along with a partisan crowd at the Windhoek Country Club.
Hilongwa kept coming forward throughout the fight, and his work rate especially to the body was incredible. Twani, counter punched the entire fight, and his work-rate too was almost beyond belief, so much so that he actually was only one point behind on one of the judge’s cards going into the final round.
The scores from judges Timo Haikonda, Herman Garus-Oab and Rassie Erasmus, in what is a strong contender already for fight of the year, were 115-113, 116-112 and a too wide 118-110.
Hilongwa, whose record improves to 12-0 (5), intends to defend the WBF intercontinental title once before issuing a challenge to WBF champ Juan “Goofy†Montes of Mexico, and said after the bout:
“I enjoyed the fight, and I look forward to defending the title and then taking the world championship as soon as possible. I would love to fight Montes here in Namibia, but I have no problem going to Mexico to beat him!â€
Twani’s performance certainly has earned him another title shot, and his record moves now to 7-3-1 (4).