By Ron Jackson
Making the first defence of his South African mini flyweight title Simphiwe Khonco stopped number seven ranked challenger Lutho Nkonki in the third round at the O R Tambo Hall in Mthatha, Transkei on Sunday. The 26-year-old Khonco 10-4; 5 who was born in Mthatha and was making a voluntary defence, fought on even terms over the first two rounds against the challenger. However, in the third round the champion picked up the pace and put Nkonki down for a count with a big right to the head. Soon afterwards the challenger who never fully recovered from the knockdown was backed up by Khonco and battered around the ring before the referee waved the fight off. It was reported that the East London based Nkonki with a reported record of 6-8; 3 battled to make the weight.
