Pfariso Neluvhalani still reigns in Limpopo

Pfariso Neluvhalani is still the Limpopo Junior featherweight boxing champion. He successfully defended his title by beating his challenger, Jonannes Nthontho, during a tournament that was staged at the Thohoyandou Indoor Sports Centre last Saturday. Nthontho should have accepted defeat in the second round when Neluvhalani was all over him, but he absorbed the pain and braved everything to the bitter end. Neluvhalani was finally declared the winner on points. In the only fight that ended in a draw, Norman "Phangaman" Tshisikhawe from Hamutoti village shared the glory with his opponent from Botswana, Moses Kamera. Tshisikhawe convinced the judges in the first three rounds, but his stamina faded as the going got tough. Nkosinathi Tshinavhe did not live up to his fans' expectations. The referee, Samuel Mashila, had to count up to eight against Tshinavhe, who was knocked down in the the fifth round. His Gauteng opponent, Sbusiso Khumalo, was declared the winner after impressing the judges. In the only ladies bout for the night, a local boxer, Raider Muleba, was too strong for Matshidiso Mokebisi from the Free State. The lightweight fight between Tshifhiwa Mudau and Khakhathi Ramuntshi went to Mudau, whose blows were accurate from the onset. Thembani Hobyani from Malamulele registered his first victory since he turned professional, when he crushed Enos Tshipuke in their featherweight fight. Godfrey Nemukongwe showed Mutshutshu Mudau no mercy when he beat him on points in their bantamweight fight that lasted four rounds.