Boxing In South Africa: Cassius Baloyi Wins Sixth World Title In North West

By Mesuli Zifo

Cassius Baloyi made history when he broke his own record by claiming his sixth world title at Mafikeng University Sports Complex in North West on Saturday night. He dethroned Mzonke Fana to win the International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior-lightweight title.

By beating Fana on points, Baloyi regained the IBF crown he had shockingly surrendered to Australian Gairy St Clair in 2006. The victory also stretched his world title achievements to six, thereby becoming the first South African fighter to achieve the mark.

But it was not an easy task to beat Fana, despite the wild scoring of judge Alex Levin, who scored the fight 117-111. English judge Mickey Vann could not separate the winner with his 114-114 scorecard, while Ingo Barrabas saw Baloyi winning by a 116-112 margin.

Fana gave away the fight in the first four rounds, when he hardly landed a blow; he was either gun- shy or biding his time, hoping to catch Baloyi – who is nicknamed “Shy Guy” – in the late rounds.

Baloyi seized the opportunity and pocketed the rounds and by the time Fana started to fight, especially in the sixth round, Baloyi was already several points ahead.

Darting in and out, Fana’s vaunted jab started to thud on Baloyi’s face, but the Limpopo- born fighter gallantly fought back, landing harder punches when he loosened up.

As Fana seemed to be gaining momentum in the eighth round – when he pushed the visibly tiring Baloyi around the ring – a break was called by the referee to change Fana’s glove, which was badly torn.

The three-minute break was welcome relief for Baloyi; he managed to regain his strength and when the fight resumed he landed several solid punches flush on Fana, to steal the round.

Rushing to make up for the lost time or rather lost rounds, Fana continued to charge forward behind his whirlwind jab but he hardly landed punches flush, and that probably cost him the fight in the eyes of the judges.

Going into the last two rounds both fighters drew deep from their reserves as they exchanged fierce punches to make their final statements. But it was Baloyi who closed the second half of the final round the strongest, which earned him the title.

“I said Baloyi would beat Fana anytime and I was right,” said Baloyi’s boisterous trainer, Nick Durandt.

Baloyi was more restrained after the fight as he commended Fana for a hard-fought battle. “He was prepared to cling to his title but I guess my experience was a deciding factor.”

Fana, whose scores of supporters chanted slogans around the ring before the fight, conceded defeat but promised Fana would bounce back.

Baloyi’s international promoter, Art Pelullo, who flew from the United States to be at ringside, promised to sell the new champion to HBO for lucrative bouts.

“We will be working hard to sell his next title defence to HBO and we are talking about millions of dollars,” an ecstatic Pelullo said.

Baloyi’s next defence is expected to be in September, against a handpicked opponent, before honouring his mandatory defence against the winner between former champion Malcolm Klassen and a yet to be announced opponent.

Klassen easily blasted away Philippines fighter Joel de la Cruz on the undercard, while two Mdantsane fighters, Simpiwe Vetyeka and Nkqubela Gwazela, produced an epic battle in their South African bantamweight title fight, with Vetyeka emerging a deserving winner on points to retain his crown.