Taliwe upsets Seroka for SA title

By Ron Jackson

Sipho Taliwe upset the odds to win the SA junior lightweight title when he outpointed Jasper Seroka over 12 rounds at the Finetown Multipurpose Centre in Lenasia on Friday night. Judges Amos Lusenga and Sazi Xamlashe scored the fight 116-112 and judge Tony Nyangiwe had it 116-113.

In a closely fought contest the 28-year-old Seroka (58.82 kg) who fought mostly off the back foot and scored with his educated jab appeared rather unfortunate to see the decision go against him.

Taliwe (58.74 kg) was the aggressor throughout but many of his punches were taken on the gloves by the defending champion. Even though some of the rounds were difficult to score the aggression of Taliwe must have influenced the judges.

Referee Jaap van Nieuwenhuizen had an easy nights work in a clean and competitive fight throughout.

Seroka sees his record drop to 20-3; 9 and the 27-year-old Taliwe improves his reported record 10-2; 9.

On the undercard Ronald Parks won the vacant Gauteng junior flyweight title when he scored a tenth round technical knockout over Funisani Monta.

November 7th, 2009

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