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Nombewu goes from zero to hero after upsetting Radi

A BOXER dismissed as incompetent after a string of losses is suddenly a hero.

Mxolisi "Little Tyson" Nombewu confounded the odds on Sunday when he stopped Xolani Radi in the third round to win the vacant IBO international bantamweight title.

Nombewu, from Tsakane in Brakpan, had been expected to be cannon fodder for Radi in front of his fans at East London's Orient Theatre.

Promoter Bongani Zulu was looking for a soft opponent, but the erratic Nombewu was just too hot to handle on the day.

Trainer Themba Zulu, whose fighters are often regarded as easy pickings, was proud of his charge's win in East London, where visiting boxers sometimes have to knock out local foes to get a result.

Nombewu improved his knockout ratio to four in six wins against five losses and a draw.

"It was our plan to win by a stoppage," said Zulu. "I advised Nombewu to throw bombs, break Radi down and hurt him from the outset. Finally I have produced a champion when no one had expected it. This is Nombewu's time to make a name for himself and hopefully his life will change for the better."

Nombewu's first-round knockout loss to Bongani Mahlangu on February 17 last year earned him severe criticism from fight fans. That was because Mahlangu had lost three consecutive fights before meeting Nombewu.

Also on the Orient Theatre card, Xolisani "Nomeva" Ndongeni added the IBO international lightweight strap to his collection of belts after defeating Patrick Malinga on points.

Ndongeni kissed the canvas in the first round but got up and dropped Malinga four times en route to a lopsided points victory.

The defeat suggests that Malinga's illustrious career has come to an end.

The 36-year-old warrior from Vosloorus lost to a credible fighter in Ndongeni from Duncan Village, who is undefeated after 15 fights.

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