WINDHOEK – Despite knocking out the champion in the 2nd-round and also stealing the shine from the hosts many a time, Sacky ‘Izinyoka’ Shikukutu’s gallant performance against Frankie Gavin fell short in wrestling the Commonwealth Welterweight title away from the Briton, in Newcastle, UK on Saturday.
Shikukutu was very confident and connected very well, but many a time failed to demonstrate the killer instinct. The Namibian also left spectators with mouths ajar, when he dropped Gavin in the 2nd round to hand the British southpaw his first ever knockdown since turning professional. However, Gavin came through to clinch a wide unanimous decision victory.
Shikukutu landed some decent shots in round three, but by the fourth Gavin had seized control and did not relinquish it thereafter.
Gavin, who claimed the flash knockdown was actually a slip after the fight, picked his shots well throughout the rest of the contest and did not suffer any further setbacks. At the end of round-12, Gavin was favoured by 117-111 and 118-109 twice on the three judges’ scorecards to avoid defeat at the hands of the hard-punching Namibian boxing prospect. Promoter Nestor Tobias said he was impressed with Shikukutu’s overall performance and the way he matched the Briton in most aspects of the fight.
Tobias added that with that kind of performance, he will make sure he presents Shikukutu with more opportunities and push him to greater heights.
“If you can remember Sacky dislocated his shoulder nearly three years ago and was out of action for two years, but to come back and put up a great performance shows that he is destined for greater things and the future looks bright. Sacky had the chance of stopping Frankie if he had followed up his punches,” said Tobias. The fight was the main supporting bout of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) Bantamweight world title fight between the defending champion Stuart Hall and Edward Martin.
By Staff Reporter