SOUTH African mini-flyweight champion Simphiwe Konco stopped challenger Lutho Nkonki in the third round of their title fight in Mthatha on Sunday.
Konco was making the first defence of a title he had won when he knocked out Bongani Mfundisi in June.
In the first two rounds, Konco had a slight edge. By the third, he began to take control and, with a right to the head, dropped Nkonki, who beat the count.
In the same round, the 26-year-old champion went on the offensive, forcing the referee to intervene. Konco was declared the winner on a technical knockout.
His trainer Madoda Dyonase said that the title would not leave Mthatha as long as Konco was around.
"We worked hard for this title and even did extra training to prepare for this fight," Dyonase said.
"There were sceptics who doubted us. People were saying that we picked a dangerous opponent for Konco. This belt is not going to leave the Ngangelizwe Boxing Club gym any time soon. We will only relinquish it when Konco goes international, but even then we have a promising youngster who will be ready to take over."
Dyonase said that Nkonki was still a good boxer, but Konco said the fight had been the easiest since he turned professional. Konco lost twice to East London's Nkonki during their amateur days.
Konco stops old foe in 3rd round
SOUTH African mini-flyweight champion Simphiwe Konco stopped challenger Lutho Nkonki in the third round of their title fight in Mthatha on Sunday.
Konco was making the first defence of a title he had won when he knocked out Bongani Mfundisi in June.
In the first two rounds, Konco had a slight edge. By the third, he began to take control and, with a right to the head, dropped Nkonki, who beat the count.
In the same round, the 26-year-old champion went on the offensive, forcing the referee to intervene. Konco was declared the winner on a technical knockout.
His trainer Madoda Dyonase said that the title would not leave Mthatha as long as Konco was around.
"We worked hard for this title and even did extra training to prepare for this fight," Dyonase said.
"There were sceptics who doubted us. People were saying that we picked a dangerous opponent for Konco. This belt is not going to leave the Ngangelizwe Boxing Club gym any time soon. We will only relinquish it when Konco goes international, but even then we have a promising youngster who will be ready to take over."
Dyonase said that Nkonki was still a good boxer, but Konco said the fight had been the easiest since he turned professional. Konco lost twice to East London's Nkonki during their amateur days.
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