DEON POTGIETER, Johannesburg | Wednesday 8.50am.
THE “Prince” Charles Mailula is the new holder of the prestigious junior featherweight national title. He stopped Zolile Zono, for the vacant title at the Carousel on Tuesday night, with a right uppercut which he launched from his ankles and exploded onto Zono’s chin.
Although Zono remained on his feet, he fumbled backwards into the ropes, bounced forward and the fell against the ropes again. It was clear that Zono never knew what hit him or where he was and referee Len Hunt stopped the fight 2 minutes and 59 seconds into the third round.
From the opening bell, Mailula found his target easy with his left jab and put Zono down for the first time, also with a right, 2 minutes into the fight. The second round followed the same route. Zono seemed confused and afraid of Mailula’s punching power. Zono was dropped again in the second.
At the start of the third round Zono suddenly seemed more confident and tried to take the fight to Mailula, who surprised by his opponents turn around attitude backed off. Up until the stoppage, the round was pretty even and could have bee awarded to Zono. He paid the price for his lack of defence however and was stopped with a punch, he should have seen coming.