On Friday (February 26), in South Africa, reigning WBF Intercontinental Super Welterweight ruler Nkululeko Mhlongo defended his title with a tenth round technical knockout stoppage of previously undefeated compatriot, and WBF International champion, Frans Ramabola.
Mhlongo, who briefly moved up to Middleweight last June to challenge WBF world champion Isaac Rodrigues in Brazil, losing a unanimous decision, improved his professional record to 15-3 (12), and Ramabola falls to 6-1 (2) after a spirited effort.
On the same card, Koos Sibiya, now 18-10-4 (2), beat Ashley Dlamini, 16-4-2 (9), to capture the vacant WBF All Africa Featherweight title by unanimous decision. While the fight was hard-fought and entertaining, the scores where wide in favor of the new champion.
Judge Thabo Spampool scored the fight 119-111, Sylvia Mokaila had it 117-110 and Ben Ncapai scored 119-109 for Sibiya, who is now back on top after losing a split decision to former world champion Mzonke Fana last year for the WBF Intercontinental Super Featherweight crown.
The third WBF title fight of the evening saw underdog Matshidiso Mokebisi, 4-4-2 (2), come from behind to stop South African national champion Bukiwe Nonina, 8-4-1 (2), in round eight to win the vacant Womens International Bantamweight title.
At the Leaders Club Kinodoni in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania on Saturday night (February 27), it was a big night for the Cheka family as brothers Francis and Cosmas both emerged victorious from World Boxing Federation title fights against good opposition.
Francis Cheka, 32-9-2 (17), a former WBF world champion, won the vacant Intercontinental Super Middleweight title by unanimous decision over Serbian Geard Ajetovic, 27-15-1 (13). This was a rematch of a 2008 encounter in England, won on points by Ajetovic who would again prove a difficult task for Cheka.
Dropped badly in the first round and heavily battered in the second, Cheka (33) eventually regrouped well and took over as the fight went on. After twelve rounds the scores were 115-112 twice (Anthony Ruta and Sakwa Mtulya) and 116-111 (Ibrahim Kamwe).
Younger brother Cosmas Cheka took home the vacant WBF All Africa Lightweight title after ten rounds against Mustafa Doto. Judges Sakwa Mtulya, Anthony Ruta and Ibrahim Kamwe scored it 98-92, 97-94 and 99-91 respectively.
25-year-old Cosmas now spots a 16-5-4 (2) professional ledger after almost seven years in the game, while fellow Tanzanian Doto drops to 14-11-3 (7).
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