NABIGO si WBC-ranked Filipino Lito Dante na maagaw ang IBO minimumweight crown sa kampeong si Simphiwe Khonco na nagwagi via 12-round unanimous decision sa Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, Gauteng, South Africa kamakalawa ng gabi.
Nadominahan ni Khonco ang laban na ginanap sa malamig na kondisyon kaya halos walang kinuhang round si Dante kahit agresibo sa kabuuan ng laban ang Pinoy boxer.
“The 30-year Khonco dominated from the opening bell as he piled up the points from behind his educated left jab.
Dante was unable to get into the fight and found it hard to penetrate the tight defence of the South African and possibly only won one round,” ayon sa ulat ng Fightnews.com “The scores were 119-109 twice and 118-110. Khonco improved his record 18-5, 7 KOs, and the 27-year-old Dante’s record dropped to 13-4, 7 KOs.”
Nakalasap naman ng unang pagkatalo si WBO Asia Pacific welterweight champion Jayar Inson nang matalo siya sa kontrobersiyal na 8-round unanimous decision kay South African 147 pounds titlist Thulani Mbenge.
“South African welterweight champion Thulani Mbenge was taken the distance for the first time when he outpointed Jay Inson from the Philippines over eight untidy rounds,” ayon sa ulat. “The scores were 80-71 twice and 79-72. Mbenge took his record 10-0-1; 10 and Inson’s record dropped to 13-1; 9.” (Gilbert Espeña)