Nongqayi retains WBF superfly belt!

May 10, 2008

By Ron Jackson

Simphiwo Nongqayi had to come back from a knockdown to retain his WBF super flyweight belt on a unanimous 12 round points decision over the rugged Julio Ler from the Argentine at the Nasrec Indoor Arena near Johannesburg, South Africa, on Friday night.

The 36-year-old Nongqayi (51.82kg) boxed well from behind his educated jab in the first two rounds to keep the shorter Ler (52.12kg) on the outside. In round two Nongqayi was warned for a low blow by referee Eddie Marshall as the Argentinean clutched his groin and really over did it as he kneeled down on the canvas.

However, midway through round three the hard punching Ler 25-5; 11 caught the champion with a short left uppercut that shook him down to his boots and followed up with an overhand right that dumped Nongqayi on the canvas.

The champion did well to beat the count and hold onto his opponent on rubbery legs for the rest of the round.

From round four through to the final round the fight became rather boring as it followed the same pattern with the champion keeping his left jab in the face of the challenger and digging in with rights to the body as Ler covered his face with his gloves and throwing rather desperate right hands over the top hoping for a knockout.

Judge Rassie Erasmus scored it 118-110 and judges Alfred Buqwana and Wally Snowball had it 116-111 and 116-112 all in favour of the champion.

Nongqayi improves his record to 15-0; 6 and Ler drops to 25-5; 11.

The tournament was presented by Thinus Strydom of World Sport Promotions.