Boxing In Africa: Weekend Results

On Friday at Finetown Centre in the Johannesburg suburb of Lenasia, big-punching South African lightweight champion Patrick Malinga gunned down challenger Mzolisi Yoyo in just two rounds.

It was a one-sided clash from the first bell as Malinga, 24-6-2 (21), went to work immediately, raining heavy shots down upon Yoyo, 11-3 (8), who had no answer to the punishment.

The overmatched challenger was decked in the first round but gamely soldiered on until Malinga’s two-handed blitzkrieg was too much for Yoyo, who was floored twice more, and the bout was halted at 1:43 of the second.

Malinga’s win streak now stands at nine bouts and he could be heading into a clash against undefeated prospect Mlungisi “The Killer Shark” Dlamini, 19-0-1 (12), the current WBF beltholder.

Yoyo, who had gone 11-1 over his last 12 contests but never against anyone anywhere close to as experienced as Malinga, loses his first title challenge.

Also on Friday at Windhoek Country Club Resort in Windhoek, Namibia, ex-Commonwealth and WBA Pan African welterweight champ Ali Nuumbembe, 22-4-1 (9), continued his comeback from a WBF title challenge defeat last November with a Namibian championship win over another former WBA Pan African titlist, 39 year old Frans Hatindi, 11-12-2 (8).

30 year old Nuumbembe, who started his carrer in England, last fought for the Namibian belt in 2004 at the same venue and picked up his first loss, a split decision to Bethuel Ushona, the current WBA Pan African titlist who has still yet to lose a fight at 17-0 (6).

Nuumbembe returned to the UK and won six of his next seven, with a draw against former British welter champ David Barnes in 2005 for the vacant WBO Intercontinental crown, the only blemish.

Disaster struck in 2006 as Nuumbembe was stopped by current Commonwealth light welter champ Ajose Olusegun but “The Silent Assassin” regained his footing to win his next three including a Commonwealth welter bid against Scotland’s Kevin Anderson in February, 2007.

Nuumbembe’s reign was short-lived however as he was stopped on cuts during a first defense against rugged southpaw Craig Watson in December of the year.

Returning to Namibia in 2008, Nuumbembe won the WBA Pan African strap with a points decision against Welcome Ntshingila but lost it last November to Bongani Mwelase, who fought as a full-fledged light middle, via 7th round stoppage.

With John O’Donnell having lifed the Commonwealth title from Watson last month, a trip back to England could be in the works for Nuumbembe.