South African left-hander Cassius Baloyi knocked out Mexican veteran Manuel Medina in the 11th round in Washington on Wednesday for the vacant International Boxing Federation junior lightweight crown.
Baloyi appeared to be outboxed for much of the fight but then came alive in the 11th and dropped Medina three times to end it.
Baloyi (31) who has never owned a major world title, boosted his record to 32-2 with 17 knockouts. He was coming off a 12-round decision loss to unbeaten countryman Isaac Hlatshwayo.
It was the African’s first fight outside his homeland in six years and his first US appearance since 1998.
Medina, 66-15 with 31 knockouts, was the IBF’s top-rated contender and was going for his sixth world title.
He looked impressive in the ninth and tenth round before being knocked out at two minutes, 19 seconds of the 11th. – Sapa-AFP