Junior middleweight Emmany Kalombo was just too huge and powerful for Shiva Takran, who retired in his nook at the beginning of the fourth spherical on the Galleria Convention and Occasions Centre in Johannesburg on Friday night time.
The primary spherical started with Kalombo circling the ring whereas his opponent jabbed and threw a tentative mixture from vary which was picked off on the arms and gloves. Halfway by the spherical Kalombo stopped circling and began coming ahead, touchdown a pair of left hooks to the physique because the spherical ended.
Thakran began the second by touchdown a double jab and a straight proper that did nothing to cease the momentum of the South African based mostly Congolese warrior. He obtained on his bicycle and tried to throw punches at vary, however it was clear that he didn’t have the ability to get Kalombo’s respect. Kalombo landed a proper, adopted moments later by a left hook as Thakran tried to circle away. The Indian fighter tried his finest to stay and transfer, however Kalombo merely jabbed to the chest and landed one other huge proper because the spherical ended.
Within the third it grew to become clear that Kalombo was systematically dissecting his opponent and that the bout gained’t go the 12-round distance. He landed a giant left hook, adopted by a straight proper as Thakran tried to get out of hurt’s means. He snapped his head again together with his jab, dug in some physique photographs and smashed one other proper to Thakran’s head. The combat took on the looks of a lion enjoying with its meals. It was clear that Thakran was in a world of hassle.
It got here as a aid when his nook wouldn’t let him exit for the fourth spherical. He appeared utterly outgunned and would little doubt have absorbed a scientific beating. Shiva Thakran drops to 16-4-1 and lives to combat one other day whereas Emmany Kalombo strikes to 17-0, with all his wins coming inside the gap.
He has now gained three in a row since his solely defeat, a unanimous choice to Israil Madrimov in 2021. The time is ripe for one more severe check.
In the principle supporting bout, former IBF strawweight champion Deejay Kriel made a profitable return after an absence of just about two years. He gained an eight spherical majority choice over a really recreation Thembelani Nxoshe, with scores of 78-74 and 77-75 overruling a reasonably odd dissenting rating of 76-76 from Tony Nyangiwe.
The ring rust was clear for all to see as Kriel stalked Nxoshe and struggled to get his timing proper. Nxoshe took benefit, labored his jab, and landed hooks round Kriel’s excessive guard with the odd physique shot combined in. Kriel managed to land a proper within the second, however Nxoshe probably shaded the primary two rounds.
An alternate lastly broke out within the heart of the ring within the third when each fighters determined to plant their ft and let their arms go. Kriel obtained the higher of these exchanges. He introduced his proper uppercut into play within the fourth and landed left hook, adopted by a left hook-right hook to the physique and a straight proper to the pinnacle to finish the alternate.
Kriel discovered the vary for his jab within the fifth as Nxoshe appeared to tire, however the East London fighter was not carried out but. He tried arduous to swing the combat again his means in sixth, touchdown a handy guide a rough proper, momentarily boxing from a distance earlier than Kriel got here charging again with combos of his personal.
Nxoshe had some success within the seventh, however Kriel’s photographs have been crisper and extra compact when he managed to shut the gap
Kriel closed the present effectively within the ultimate spherical, touchdown good combos, a tough straight proper, a number of left hooks, and an overhand proper.
The combat was contested at a catchweight simply over the flyweight restrict. Kriel, who improves to 17-2-1 with eight stoppages, plans to return to junior flyweight, the place he seeks a second world title. Nxoshe dropped to 19-10-2 however gave a really respectable effort.
Junior middleweights Darrin Rossouw and Jacques Tshikubu Muvud from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, stole the present, placing on an eight-round struggle. The combat was gained by Rossouw by scores 0f 77-75, 78-75 and 78-74 however it didn’t deserve a loser.
The pair went at it hammer and tongs, spherical after spherical. Muvud obtained the higher of the exchanges on the within over the primary half of the combat whereas Rossouw was higher on the skin and within the heart of the ring.
Rossouw displayed a terrific jab when he selected to make use of it and he appeared to wobble Muvud a few instances. Each time it seemed like he was about to overwhelm his opponent, the Congolese fighter got here roaring again, throwing combos to maintain himself within the combat.
Rossouw stays unbeaten at 7-0 with 4 knockouts whereas Muvud drops to 7-2-1.
Undercard Outcomes:
Patrick Mukala TKO 4 Yanga Phetani (tremendous middleweight)
Ellen Simwaka TKO 3 Asandiswa Nxokwana (feminine bantamweight)
Aaron Muteba KO 2 Phumelelo Cele (welterweight).
The cardboard was promoted by Sifiso Shongwe, his 12th event of 2022, broadcast by ESPN Africa.
