God’s timing is always perfect, says Lerato “Lights Out” Dlamini after his third-round knockout victory over Jerlbirt Gomera in a match that put the South African on the path to greener pastures.
“God did not give me two fights in a space of three weeks apart without him believing I can win them both; I am born for this,” said Dlamini, who knocked out the tough-as-nails Filipino in four rounds at Pacoffs Theatre in Bloemfontein.
Dream Team Promotions staged the six-bout card as part of the 10-day Macufe Festival celebrations.
On October 15, Dlamini will oppose Jazza Dickenson for the vacant IBO featherweight title in the UK.
Losing the fight on Friday night against Gomera would have shattered Dlamini’s dream of challenging for the IBO belt. This title may be insignificant to some but it has helped many local boxers to get recognition from other sanctioning bodies.
“Like I said, I needed to box smart and avoid a situation which could possibly leave me with a cut,” said Dlamini, whose 10-rounder with Gomera was dubbed “Home Coming” by promoter Lebo Mahoko. The Free State government and the promoter welcomed Dlamini back home as it has been five years since he last fought at home.
In the main bout, reigning SA middleweight champion John “Section 29” Bopape added the ABU belt to his collection after forcing Mbiya Kanku to an early stoppage in a topsy-turvy two rounds that produced fireworks.
Bopape and Kanku from Congo both came to fight and they fought hard from the word go. Kanku had his moments, especially in the first round, as he tested Bopape’s jaw with hard punches. He played into Bopape’s hand by not closing the gap and force the fight on the pocket because of his reach disadvantage.
Bopape used his height and reach advantage well, keeping Kanku away. He picked the right spots which he hit very hard and it came as no surprise when Kanku hit the deck.
Bopape, from Alexandra, has won the hearts of many people in the Free State. It began in April when he dethroned Nkululkeo Mhlongo as the SA champ in Mahoko’s tournament.
On Friday, Free State fans went into raptures, screaming Bopape’s name, motivating him, after he had been rocked by Kanku in round one.
“I was hurt very bad when John beat Mhlongo,” said Mahoko, whose Dream Team Promotions is responsible for Mhlongo’s career. “Tonight John wins the ABU title here in the Free State and under us as Dream Team, so I am excited.”
He also paid tribute to MEC for sports in the Free State Limakatso Mahasa, who not only provided financial support but also attended the tournament.
She was a ringside guest at Mahoko’s tournament in April and she attended the J4 Joy International Promoter’s tournament in Middelburg where her home girl Matshidiso Mokebisi failed to win the WBF title against Katie Healy from the UK in July.
Meanwhile, Vusi Mtolo continues bringing relief to the East London fight fraternity which is frustrated by the province’s lack of champions. Mtolo from Gauteng guided Asemahle Wellem from Mdantsane to winning the SA super middleweight belt on Saturday evening.
Wellem achieved his feat in only his fourth pro fight. He dethroned Cowin Ray by way of a fourth-round stoppage in TLB Boxing Promotion's tournament at Time Square Arena in Pretoria.
It was also Mtolo who helped Lusanda Komanisi to win the national lightweight belt from Tshifhiwa Munyai two weekends ago.
In the celebrity fight in Pretoria, Refiloe “Cassper Nyovest” Phoolo redeemed himself with a first-round demolition act of Ricardo “Priddy Ugly” Baloyi. Phoolo was defeated on points over five rounds in December by Anga “NaakMusiq” Makhubalo.
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