Magwaza, Ziqubu Beats Malawian Foes In Close WBF Title Fights
South Africa (MNP) No favours were given by the visiting Malawian opponents, when two local boxers had to fight hard to win World Boxing Federation (WBF) titles on Sunday, April 16, at the Multi Purpose Centre in Gqeberha, South Africa.
Sanele Magwaza moved up from Bantamweight, where he held the WBF All-Africa title, to fight Grey Chimkwapulo for the vacant WBF Intercontinental Super Bantamweight title.
It turned out to be a barn-burner, with both fighters deciding to go toe-to-toe from the first to the last bell, making it a very close and entertaining fight.
After twelve rounds of boxing, judges Siya Vabaza and Voyokazi Ncata scored it 115-113 and 116-112 for Magwaza, overruling judge Thandi Ngodwana who scored 115-113 for Chimkwapulo, giving Magwaza the victory by split decision.
Magwaza improved his professional record to 6-2 (1). Chimkwapulo falls to 5-3 (3).
In the second WBF title fight of the evening, Bathabile Ziqubu edged pre-fight favourite Revai Madondo by majority decision to lift the vacant Womens All-Africa Super Flyweight title.
Judges Voyokazi Ncata and Clifford Mbelu both scored the fight 96-94 for Ziqubu, while judge Thandi Ngodwana had it all even at 95-95.
In a fight that could have gone either way, Ziqubu´s jab was the difference in many rounds, as she took her deceiving professional statistics to 4-3 (0). Madondo, coming off six straight wins, is now 6-3-1 (2).
The WBF championship double-header was promoted by Mbali Zantsi Showtime Boxing Promotions.
