Dabaza defeats EL champ in title clash

UITENHAGE boxer Mzwabantu Dabaza's aggression and mobility earned him the Eastern Cape junior flyweight title at the weekend.

Dabaza scored a seventh-round technical knockout over Lutho Nkonki to wrest the crown from the Mdantsane boxer at the Indoor Sport Centre in East London on Sunday.

The fight, which was promoted by Max Mabuti's Sakhisizwe Boxing Promotions, was billed for 10 rounds.

Dabaza, 25, said: "It was my first fight against Nkonki and I didn't know much about him. I had to google him to get more information about his previous fights. I must admit he has a good fighting record but my mission was to win this title."

Dabaza said he took the fight to his opponent from the opening bell and remained in control of all the rounds.

"It became clear at the beginning of the sixth round that Nkonki's power had become impotent.

"My biggest challenge was not to win the fight on points, so I threw more body punches to knock him down once and for all," he said.

Trainer Louis Phillip said Dabaza's next fight would be in May but would not be a title challenge. - Mthetho Ndoni