Windhoek
Japhet ‘Thin Man’ Uutoni on Friday delivered a never-seen-before performance to outclass South African opponent Bongani Silila in almost all departments to capture the WBO International Junior Flyweight title in front of a packed and intimidating Limpopo crowd.
Uutoni became the new World Boxing Organisation (WBO) International Junior Flyweight champion after stopping the rough and tough Silila via a 10th round technical knockout.
Both boxers came out smoking right from the onset but Uutoni however appeared to be a notch ahead of his opponent as he hurt Silila towards the end of the opening round. The middle rounds were no different, with both boxers exchanging heavy shots, with Bongani catching Uutoni with a big left hook from a southpaw that threw Uutoni off balance but thanks to his level of fitness he quickly recovered.
In the 8th round, Uutoni threw a big shot that knocked his opponent down even though the referee didn’t do the usual count for Silila, but the high flying stocky Namibian was again back in the thick of things in the 10th round, pushing Silila against the ropes with deadly combinations, ending that with a heavy body shot that eventually brought the fight to an end.
There was however confusion as his opponent pretended that it was a low blow, but after consultation with the referee and ringside supervisor, Uutoni was declared the winner by TKO.
“It was a tough fight against a very tough opponent – the crowd was intimidating and I had three points deducted from me in different rounds for apparent low blows which were clean body punches, but I knew I could not give up and kept on pushing myself to the limit knowing that I must clinch this title which will open doors for me,” said Uutoni.
“We are happy with this victory, and for adding another champion to the MTC Academy. Uutoni deserves this international title because he was prepared, fit and disciplined and that must serve as a good example to all boxers,” said promoter Nestor Tobias.