Chellan vows to return stronger after second-round stoppage in SA title fight
Wassim Chellan is in high spirits after his stoppage loss for the SA Welterweight title, saying he will be back stronger.
Image: Buntu Gotywa
What was supposed to be a historic night for Manenberg's Wassim Chellan did not go according to plan on Friday night, September 19.
Vying for the SA welterweight title he had been chasing for some time now, Chellan fell short of realising his dream at the Wynberg Military Base.
He was stopped in the second round by the hard-hitting Phaphama Ronorono, who had travelled all the way from Mthatha for this bout.
Chellan and Ronorono headlined the Jackie Brice Promotions event, which formed part of the ongoing Women in Boxing series. For Chellan, it was only the second loss of his 11-fight professional career and the first time he had ever been stopped.
Going into the fight, the expectation had always been whether Chellan could withstand Ronorono's power in the early rounds and use his known durability to his advantage in the later stages.
But a perfectly timed right hand midway through the second round dropped Chellan hard, and he could not recover. The referee waved it off, handing the visitor his fifth stoppage win in as many fights.
It’s also worth noting that before this bout, Ronorono had never gone past the first round, which speaks to his finishing ability.
For Kleurling, it is back to the drawing board. He remains adamant that the dream is not over, though it has been derailed for now.
Lunga Sitemela outpointed Mvuzo Kotobe over six rounds on Friday night.
Image: Buntu Gotywa
The card also featured the return of Lunga Sitemela, who took part in a six-rounder against Mvuzo Kotobe. Sitemela comfortably cruised to a decision win in what served as a tune-up fight before he heads off to defend his WBF Super Featherweight title in Papua New Guinea later this year.
SA Featherweight champion Ntomboqala Tolashe headlined the women in boxing series, taking on Matshidiso Mokebisi in an eight-round non-title rematch. Tolashe again emerged victorious, having previously beaten Mokebisi when they first clashed for the title.
Other results on the night saw Sibulele Soboois outpoint Zizo Skoti over six rounds. Olwethu Mkhathala beat Emma Mohono on points. Likho Nxele and Noxolo Magagula fought to a six-round draw, while Sonelo Mbombo stopped Rethabile Tshepe.