MINIYAKHE Sityatha had bullied his last four opponents into submission before Saturday's fight against Filipino boxer Marjohn Yap.
But it was not the same for the 22-year-old Sikhulule High School pupil in Mdantsane when he faced Yap, who gave Sityatha a run for his money for the whole fight.
The going was a little tough for the South African bantamweight champion despite all the judges - Lulama Mtya, Siphiwo Mbini and Andile Matika - giving Sityatha the nod after a gruelling 10-round bout.
And Sityatha has since admitted that Yap proved to be a hard nut to crack.
"That was a a very difficult fight for me. Yap was a very tough opponent," said Sityatha. But truth be told, the SA bantamweight champion was not the same fighter who dethroned Unathi Gqokoma last April and overwhelmed Nceba Zozo, Mncedi Yokose and Thembelani Maphuma.
However, it has to be said once again that Sityatha went into the fight carrying a right knee injury, something that worried his camp led by chief trainer Boyboy Mpulampula.
Sityatha started the fight well, landing more blows than Yap in the first and seconds rounds, but the Filipino was more impressive at the beginning of the third round. However, Sityatha's one-two combinations forced the 23-year-old Yap to fight from the retreat.
Yap a tough nut to crack
MINIYAKHE Sityatha had bullied his last four opponents into submission before Saturday's fight against Filipino boxer Marjohn Yap.
But it was not the same for the 22-year-old Sikhulule High School pupil in Mdantsane when he faced Yap, who gave Sityatha a run for his money for the whole fight.
The going was a little tough for the South African bantamweight champion despite all the judges - Lulama Mtya, Siphiwo Mbini and Andile Matika - giving Sityatha the nod after a gruelling 10-round bout.
And Sityatha has since admitted that Yap proved to be a hard nut to crack.
"That was a a very difficult fight for me. Yap was a very tough opponent," said Sityatha. But truth be told, the SA bantamweight champion was not the same fighter who dethroned Unathi Gqokoma last April and overwhelmed Nceba Zozo, Mncedi Yokose and Thembelani Maphuma.
However, it has to be said once again that Sityatha went into the fight carrying a right knee injury, something that worried his camp led by chief trainer Boyboy Mpulampula.
Sityatha started the fight well, landing more blows than Yap in the first and seconds rounds, but the Filipino was more impressive at the beginning of the third round. However, Sityatha's one-two combinations forced the 23-year-old Yap to fight from the retreat.
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