Bongani Magasela

Bongani Magasela

Oscar Chauke is still at the helm of the South African junior featherweight division after defeating Takatso Hlahane on points last weekend.

In the process he improved his record to read: 20 wins (six KOs), four defeats and two draws. Hlahane, however, suffered his second defeat against five victories and four draws.

The champion's intentions were to win via a stoppage.

Chauke piled on the pressure in the first two rounds but found the challenger uncompromising.

He resorted to collecting points with ease as he outclassed the inexperienced Hlahane, who had never gone beyond four rounds.

But Hlahane caused a scare in the sixth round when he connected with beautiful combinations.

But his punches lacked fire and Chauke, who was becoming complacent, regained his senses and turned on the heat.

Their fight then degenerated into a one-sided affair. The scorecards of 117-111, from two judges, and 118-110 from the third reflected the complexion of the contest.

Gabriel Phakula, who fought from the back foot, messed up Sipho Taliwe in another one-sided fight.

Phakula's well-executed uppercut flush on Taliwe's jaw landed him on his backside in the second round.

Taliwe got up and tactlessly bulldozed his way forward. He was duly punished. Phakula was clinical and methodical in his attack, while Taliwe continuously missed the target.

Taliwe staggered Phakula with a stinging left hook in the sixth round but failed to take advantage of a man who only needed a push to go down.