/ 24 August 1998

Hands of Stone up to two

OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Monday 11.00am.

LEHLOHONOLO “HANDS OF STONE” LEDWABA has moved up into the second spot in the International Boxing Federation rankings after winning a unanimous points decision against Arnel Barotillo of Australia in a 10-rounder at the Carousel on Saturday night.

The judges gave the fight to Ledwaba 97-93, 97-94, 97-94, making the South African junior featherweight champion an automatic challenger to the number one contender when reigning IBF champion Vuyani Bungu vacates the title.

Ledwaba, who bludgeoned the profusely bleeding visitor from all angles, improved his record to 26 wins, one loss and a single draw, while Barotillo slumped to his ninth defeat with 20 wins and two draws.