Isaac ”Angle” Hlatshwayo became the new IBO lightweight champion when he won a unanimous points decision over Cassius Baloyi at Carnival City in Brakpan on Wednesday night.
The new champion, who is now unbeaten in 23 professional fights, outclassed and outboxed his hapless opponent from the opening round. In fact, Hlatshwayo had Baloyi on the canvas as early as the second round, only the second time in his professional career that he has been floored.
The judges scored the fight 119-108, 117-112 and 116-112.
It was certainly not Baloyi’s night, as he was even forced to chase his opponent and had to deal heavy blows that were not easy to handle.
Hlatshwayo dominated the first stanza of the 12-round bout as he connected Baloyi with a combination of left hooks and straight rights.
The match-up, dubbed beforehand as the ”fight of the decade”, started at a fast pace and Hlatshwayo managed to utilise Baloyi’s counter-punching to his advantage, using some solid, swift jabs that had Baloyi stuttering on the ropes in the sixth round.
In round eight, Baloyi tried to respond with uppercuts but he was unable to handle Hlatshwayo, who was doing as he wished.
Realising that time was not on his side, Baloyi tried to neutralise his opponent but he developed a cut above his right eye after absorbing numerous left hooks to his face.
During round 10 and 11, Baloyi charged forward but he was not at ease against his heavier opponent, who was punishing him relentlessly. It was clear a long way before the end that Baloyi was on his way to his second defeat in 33 fights.
In the two South African title fights on an impressive bill, Andre Thysse retained his super-middleweight title when he defeated Daniel Bruwer on points, while Malcolm Klaasen became the new South African featherweight champion when he outlasted Edward Mpofu for the vacant title. — Sapa