In
an outstanding fight and one of
the best seen in Namibia in many
years, Joseph “Smokey” Hilongwa
produced a mercurial performance
by outworking a never say die
Sibusiso Twani of South Africa
to win the vacant World Boxing
Federation Intercontinental
Super Flyweight title on Friday
(March 29).
The pair went toe-to-toe in a
clash promoted by Ludwig
Haimbodi and Warriors Promotion,
with WBF President Howard
Goldberg at ringside taking in
the magnificent action along
with a partisan crowd at the
Windhoek Country Club.
Hilongwa kept coming forward
throughout the fight, and his
work rate especially to the body
was incredible. Twani, counter
punched the entire fight, and
his work-rate too was almost
beyond belief, so much so that
he actually was only one point
behind on one of the judge’s
cards going into the final
round.
The scores from judges Timo
Haikonda, Herman Garus-Oab and
Rassie Erasmus, in what is a
strong contender already for
fight of the year, were 115-113,
116-112 and a too wide 118-110.
Hilongwa, whose record improves
to 12-0 (5), intends to defend
the WBF intercontinental title
once before issuing a challenge
to WBF world champ Juan “Goofy”
Montes of Mexico, and said after
the bout:
“I enjoyed the fight, and I look
forward to defending the title
and then taking the world
championship as soon as
possible. I would love to fight
Montes here in Namibia, but I
have no problem going to Mexico
to beat him!”
Twani's performance certainly
has earned him another title
shot, and his record moves now
to 7-3-1 (4). |
