Emmany Kalombo retained the IBF International junior middleweight title when Shivra Thakran did not answer the bell for the fourth round at the Galleria Events Centre in Johannesburg on Friday night.
In the opening round, both fighters were tentative with no scoring punches landed.
However, in the second round, there was a bit more action with the bigger Kalombo just shading it against the elusive Thakran.
In round three, Kalombo came out fast and took the fight to Thakran, scoring with some jolting shots to the head.
However, it came as a surprise when Thakran retired his corner and did not come out for the fourth round in a fight that proved to be a mismatch.
Kalombo improved his record to 17-1; 17 and Thakran’s record dropped to 16-4; 8.
In a junior middleweight contest, Darrin Rossouw (7-0) and Jacques Tshikubu Muvud (7-2-1) from the Democratic Republic of Congo put up the fight of the night with Rossouw winning on an eight-round unanimous points decision.
The scores were 78-75, 78-74 and 77-75.
UNDERCARD
Patrick Mukala W TKO 4 Yanga Phetani - super middleweight
Ellen Simwaka W TKO 3 Asandiswa Nxokwana - female bantamweight
Aaron Muteba W KO 2 Phumelelo Cele - welterweight
This was the 12th tournament presented by Sifiso Shongwe in 2022.