Bongani Magasela

Bongani Magasela

Tshepo Lefele made a resounding return home in the Free State on Friday night when this Gauteng-based fighter ended the reign of Gideon Buthlezei as the South African flyweight ruler.

Lefele, 28, from Theunissen, who last fought at home when he made his professional debut in 2000, bombarded the Gauteng fighter in the sixth round.

Buthelezi, showing no heart, turned his back against the challenger.

That was a clear indication that he had had enough. Referee Freddie Makhathini stopped the fight 2 minutes and 36 seconds into the sixth round and the deafening sound of jubilation from a packed crowd inside a pregnant Multipurpose Centre in Kestell almost blew the roof off.

That was Lefele's ninth short-route win from 15 victories while the dethroned champion whose corner was masterminded by Johnny du Plooy lost his second fight against seven wins.

Their fight topped a joint promotion seven-bout programme presented by both Robs Promotions of Black Seoe and the Free State sports department.

Meanwhile, Buthelezi's stable mate, Bongani "Dancing Shoes" Mahlangu registered a lopsided points win in the first defence of his WBA Pan African bantamweight belt against Martin Mubiru from Ghana. The scorecards were 118-110, 120-108 and 119-110.

The star of the night was Tshepang Mohale who stopped the vastly experienced Andile Tshongolo in one.