South Africa’s southpaw fighter Gabula Vabaza successfully defended his WBA super-bantam title when he outpointed his Ghanaian challenger Anyetei Laryea during their title contest at the Graceland Casino in Secunda in the early hours of Saturday.
Vabaza, who looked unfit at the start of the proceedings, had to chase his challenger in an attempt to connect him with some blows.
However, it proved not an easy task, as Laryea ran all the way and sometimes had to hold on for dear life just to avoid more punishment.
But the former South African flyweight kingpin tried to convince his fans that he had what it takes to be classy fighter as he connected his opponent with some stiff jabs followed by a combination of straight rights that drove the challenger on to the ropes.
All the three judges unanimously scored the fight 119-110 in favour of Vabaza.
The 27-year-old ”Slashing Tiger” improved his record 21 wins (15 KOs) and a single draw from 22 fights, while Laryea dropped to three losses from 15 fights.
Vabaza was defending his title for the first time after he won the then vacant title from Roger Garlia in February this year.
Meanwhile, in another international bout over 12 rounds Jeffery Mathebula became a new WBC international featherweight champion after he outboxed and outpointed Ghanaian champion Osamanu Akaba. — Sapa