Bongani Magasela

Moruti "Baby Face" Mthalane was crowned the WBC International flyweight champion after stopping Apol Sucio in one round at Park Station on Saturday night.

Two crunching body shots dropped Suico and Belgian referee Daniel van de Wiele reached full count while the Filipino was still trying to regain his senses.

It was over in 38 seconds. Mthalane, 25, from Ntuzuma in Durban, who fights out of Gauteng under Nick Durandt, won the title that was relinquished by Mhikiza Myekeni whose career was cut short by a near fatal car accident last year.

Mthalane also holds the SA title. He improved his knock ratio to 14 from 20 wins against a loss which was meted by then SA champion Nkqubela Gwazela in 2004. Mthalane's fight on Saturday night was promoted by Pat Molefe's Rainbow Promotions.

But the fight that stole the thunder from the main contest was the featherweight clash between Tshepo Mofokeng and Takalani Kwinda.

These former stablemates at Durandt's gym had a go at each other and their fierce competition turned into a bloody slugfest which had fight fans on their toes.

But it was the more clevere and skilful Mofokeng who had the last laugh.

Ushered to war by Benny Pailman, Cliff Martins and Peter Favor, Mofokeng stopped Kwinda in two minutes and 59seconds of the ninth round.

Victory puts Mofokeng in line to challenge Oscar Chauke for the national title while Kwinda forfeited the top rating.

Results in other non-title fights: Molefi Banyana beat Johannes Nthontho, Jonas Mosaqa beat Ephraim Kabane, Page Tshesane beat Lucas Mogane, Edward Mpofu defeated Innocent Mthalane.