Khaya “Destroyer” Busakwe lost the battle against SA lightweight Tshifhiwa “Atomic Spider” Munyai at Sandton Convention Centre on Friday night but the inexperienced mandatory challenger won the war.
The future looks bright for Busakwe, who suffered a ninth-round stoppage.
It was always going to boil down to experience and endurance. Busakwe was involved in his ninth pro fight but showed willingness to face danger and endure pain.
He waded in, with his swarming style of rough house that has been modified by veteran trainer Norman Hlabane. But everything that Busakwe did was not enough to stop the supremely talented and vastly experienced Munyai, who began showing his superiority in thinking, picking the right punches and using his lateral movement well.
Busakwe occasionally dropped his left hand after throwing a jab and Munyai spotted that opening and fired a well-executed overarm right that rocked the challenger’s head violently.
But the brave challenger from Central Western Jabavu stood firm in his quest to become Soweto's only national boxing champion. His attitude actually brought the best out of Munyai, who was involved in his 40th fight.
Munyai’s ring IQ is high and he knows how to extricate himself from danger. He dropped Busakwe with a left hook early in round nine. He beat the count but was knocked down again by that looping overhand right soon afterwards. Again Busakwe beat the count but it was painfully clear that he was unable to defend himself and referee Davin van Niewenhuizen jumped in and the raised Munyai’s right hand.
The champion, trained by Alan Toweel Junior, registered his 19th short-route win in 33 victories against six losses and a draw.
In the main supporting bout of J4Joy Boxing Promotions' maiden tourney, Innocent “Tycoon” Mantengu added the third boxing belt to his collection – the WBA Pan African junior-featherweight title – having previously held the SA and IBF Africa belts. His victory over Luthando Mbumbulwana over 12 exciting rounds was emphatic.
Layton Gloss raised his hand for recognition as a prospect when he pulverised Tumelo Matsane into submission in eight rounds to capture the Gauteng bantamweight belt.
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