Jeffrey Mathebula put past disappointments behind him to secure the International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior-featherweight title against Takalani Ndlovu at Carnival City, in Brakpan, on Saturday night.
Having been on the losing end of two split decisions in previous crunch fights — against Celestino Caballero in Panama in 2009 for the same title, and against Ndlovu in an eliminator for a crack at the belt in 2010 — Mathebula went about laying claim to the championship strap from the first bell.
The challenger ground out a 117-113, 116-112, 113-115 split-decision win.
By the end of 12 rounds both fighters showed signs of punishment, with Ndlovu’s left eye swollen and almost completely shut, while the new champion sported a welt on his right eye.
Having shaded the opening rounds, Mathebula let Ndlovu back into the fight in the fourth and fifth before taking control once more as the fight wore on.
The 11th round was the best of the entire contest as both traded damaging combinations, tagging one another in the hope of a late stoppage.
Mathebula, however, held out to claim the crown.
On the undercard, Thompson Mokwana retained his SA lightweight title, earning a 115-113, 115-113, 112-117 split-decision victory over Patrick Malinga in a rematch of their meeting last year which saw the latter lose his crown in a seventh-round stoppage.
Illunga Makabu was his usual destructive self as he earned a TKO-win over Ghana’s Michael Gbenga.
Makabu forced referee Thabo Spampool to halt the action two minutes and 53 seconds into the fifth round as he completely dominated their cruiserweight bout. – Sapa