In one of the most spectacular instances of seized sporting opportunities, Cape Town’s Terence Balelo bested Musa Sethwape over 5 championship rounds to grab the Interim Bantamweight Title.
After yesterday’s weigh-ins, Shannon van Tonder was advised by his medical team to pull out of the bout against Sethwape, prompting the EFC matchmaking team to wake Balelo out of his Thursday morning slumber. That phone call put him straight onto a plane and back into the Hex as a replacement contender for the belt less than five weeks after his only loss.
After outpointing his opponent with superior footwork and striking, Balelo had the golden buckle around his waist less than 10 hours after accepting the fight of his life to put the packed-out crowd in the EFC Performance Institute into rapture.
It will go down in EFC history as one of the greatest victories in history of the bantamweight division, not based on the pugilistic clinic he put on, but because Balelo is the epitome of a prize-fighter who will answer the call of opportunity when there is a chance of fighting, and a fighting chance at a belt.
The remainder of the main card was not without its fair share of controversy, as Jeremie Tshibala deemed himself unable to continue following a perceived low-blow from his opponent, Khulekani Hlongwa, much to the crowds dismay, though Zambian rising star Ken Sekeletu knocked-out his opponent to their delight within 30 seconds of the fight beginning.
And whilst the featherweight clash between Ayanda Zwane and Emmanual Sita was a rather tepid affair, veteran kickboxer Stefan Pretorius survived a three-round onslaught from Port Elizabeth’s undefeated powerhouse, Shadrack Nsua, though it was the latter who deservedly took the judges unanimous decision.
OFFICIAL EFC 108 RESULTS:
Main Card
INTERIM BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT
Terence Balelo def Musa Sethwape via Unanimous Decision after 5 Rounds
CATCHWEIGHT FIGHT
Shadrock Nsua def Stefan Pretorius via Unanimous Decision after 3 Rounds
FEATHERWEIGHT FIGHT
Ayanda Zwane def Emmanuel Sita via Unanimous Decision after 3 Rounds
MIDDLEWEIGHT FIGHT
Khulekani Hlongwa vs Jeremie Tshibala: The referee called a stop to this contest at 29 seconds of the second round due to Jeremie Tshibala being unable to continue after a unilateral groin strike
FEATHERWEIGHT FIGHT
Ken Sekeletu def Andile Gasa via Knockout – Round 1 (0.37)
Prelim Card
LIGHTWEIGHT FIGHT
Glody Kanzeko def Alexander Olave via TKO due to Strikes – Round 1 (4:59)
BANTAMWEIGHT FIGHT
Nicolaas Vermaak def Christiaan Mulamba via Tap Out due to Guillotine Choke – Round 2 (0.13)
HEAVYWEIGHT FIGHT
Boyka Kabangu def Johan Van Wyk via TKO due to Strikes – Round 1 (1:27)
FLYWEIGHT FIGHT
Tebatso Molele def Moses Mokhari via Unanimous Decision after 3 Rounds
FLYWEIGHT FIGHT
Kelvin Smit def Tyral Louw via Tap Out due to Arm Bar – Round 1 (4:06)
BANTAMWEIGHT FIGHT
Emerson Pedro def Rudolf Sekhukhune via Split Decision after 3 Rounds
PERFORMANCE BONUSES:
Nicolaas Vermaak, Ken Sekeletu and Terence Balelo.
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