In a fight that never rose to any heights, South Africa’s Landile Ngxeke won the vacant IBO Intercontinental junior bantamweight title when he beat Filipino Michael Mendoza on a 12-round unanimous points decision at the Orient Theatre in East London on Friday night.
The smaller Mendoza (52.05kg) came out fast at the opening bell before taking a count against the ropes in the corner, from the referee Lulama Mtya in what looked like a push.
The fight became rather untidy in round two with a lot of pushing and clinching, which resulted in the referee warning both fighters to watch the heads.
This was the pattern throughout the fight with the southpaw Mendoza, 24, battling against the cleaner punching of the taller 27-year-old Ngxeke (51.55kg).
Ngxeke was a clear winner with scores of 117-111 and 116-111 twice.
Ngxeke improved his record 10-1-1; 4 and the 24-year-old Mendoza’s (52.05kg) record dropped to 12-3-2; 4.
UNDERCARD
In the opening bout of the evening at bantamweight Lopez Maluleke and Siybulela Hem fought to a six round draw.
Qhamani Mhlana W pts 6 Sandiso Booi (strawweight).
Asanda Ginqi W ko 7 Sibusiso Zingange (junior lightweight).
KHAYA BUSAKWE WINS SA LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE
The 32-year-old Khaya Busakwe (60.15kg) won the South African lightweight title when defending champion 33-year-old, Lusana Kominisi (61.10kg) retired with a damaged shoulder in the third round.
Busakwe improved his record to 9-3-1; 9 and Komanisi’s record dropped 27-7; 22.
MPUMELELO TSHABALALA RETAINS SA TITLE
Mpumelelo Tshabalala (48.45kg) retained the South African junior flyweight title when he stopped Athenkosi Thongwana (48.70kg) in the sixth round.
Tshabalala improved his record to 9-1; 5 and Thongwana’s record dropped to 5-3-1; 1.