South African Thato Bonokoane and Diego Alberto Ruiz from Argentina more than entertained the spectators for their World Boxing Federation (WBF) World Super Bantamweight title fight on Sunday, October 9, in Gqeberha, South Africa.
In a toe-to-toe battle, and leading candidate for WBF fight of the year, Bonokoane emerged victorious by majority decision.
Judge Nunelwa Fukutwa could not separate the two, scoring it six rounds to each man and 114-114, but Eddie Marshall and Siya Vabaza saw it 116-112 and 117-111 for Bonokoane.
Going 2-4-1 between 2019 and 2021 few would have expected Bonokoane to become a world champion not long after, but with two highly impressive defenses of the WBF Intercontinental title earlier this year, he earned his shot and made the most of it.
The new WBF World Super Bantamweight champion improved his professional record to 14-5-3 (9). Ruiz, who in February drew with highly touted European champion Lee McGregor, drops to 23-6-1 (12).
The fight headlined a card promoted by Joy4Joy Boxing Promotions.
