CASSIUS "Shy Guy" Baloyi lost the fight against Argenis Mendez on Saturday night but won the battle to show that he still has what it takes to continue fighting.
The 36-year-old Limpopo warrior was dropped for the count in the first round but he got up to put on one hell of a show, stunning the 24-year-old youngster from the Dominican Republic, whose management had hoped for an easy night.
Baloyi fought cleverly from side to side like a matador. He surprised Mendez in the middle of the ring but let him back into the fight by standing against the ropes.
That is where the American measured him well before digging deep into his midsection with heavy body blows that probably slowed Baloyi down.
Baloyi, under new trainer Gert Strydom, fought beautifully in rounds four, six, seven and eight but his inconsistency cost him the fight. Nonetheless, he remains South Africa's highest achiever, having won six titles in three weight divisions.
All three judges scored the fight in favour of Mendez by 117-110 (twice) and 117-111. Mendez, who fights out of Brooklyn, New York will be mandatory challenger for IBF junior lightweight champion Mzonke Fana. Mendez became the only third boxer to drop Baloyi, the first being Steve Robinson and Isaac Hlatshwayo.
Baloyi shows heart in his loss to Mendez
CASSIUS "Shy Guy" Baloyi lost the fight against Argenis Mendez on Saturday night but won the battle to show that he still has what it takes to continue fighting.
The 36-year-old Limpopo warrior was dropped for the count in the first round but he got up to put on one hell of a show, stunning the 24-year-old youngster from the Dominican Republic, whose management had hoped for an easy night.
Baloyi fought cleverly from side to side like a matador. He surprised Mendez in the middle of the ring but let him back into the fight by standing against the ropes.
That is where the American measured him well before digging deep into his midsection with heavy body blows that probably slowed Baloyi down.
Baloyi, under new trainer Gert Strydom, fought beautifully in rounds four, six, seven and eight but his inconsistency cost him the fight. Nonetheless, he remains South Africa's highest achiever, having won six titles in three weight divisions.
All three judges scored the fight in favour of Mendez by 117-110 (twice) and 117-111. Mendez, who fights out of Brooklyn, New York will be mandatory challenger for IBF junior lightweight champion Mzonke Fana. Mendez became the only third boxer to drop Baloyi, the first being Steve Robinson and Isaac Hlatshwayo.
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