 | |
| |
Cassius Baloyi retires after defeat
The champion stopped Kyle Smith 2 minutes 13 seconds into the fifth round of their fight at the Nasrec Expo Centre, Johannesburg.
But the big news from the tournament was that former IBF champion Cassius Baloyi retired after losing to Malcolm Klassen in a bout on the undercard.
In the main bout, the 29-year-old Smith, who weighed 66.65 kg, came out fast at the opening bell and caught the champion with a barrage of punches before landing a right to the jaw that sent Mulovehesi down in the corner.
The superbly fit Mulovhedzi (66.3 kg) survived the round by holding and mauling and came back well to take the second, third round and fourth rounds with some sharp lefts and rights to the head.
The 25-year-old champion dropped Smith for a count midway through the fifth round and soon afterwards the challenger went down again.
Smith beat the count again but was little more than a punching bag being battered against the ropes until referee Thabo Spampool stepped in, rather belatedly, to end the fight.
It was a much improved performance by Mulovhedzi who won the vacant title in August in a clash with Boitshepo Mandawe.
He showed he could also punch a bit as he improved his record to 6-7-3, including 3 knockouts. Smith’s reported record dropped to 11-2; 7.
The judges were Boitumelo Madiba, Simon Xamlashe and Joseph Chaane.
Tiger Woods will consider the possibility of joining the European Tour after changes are made to membership qualification.
The European Tour is expected to announce soon that participation in the Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup and Seve Trophy will count toward the 13 events needed for tour membership.
Woods said Wednesday he last looked into joining the European Tour in 2000 when the requirement was 11 events.
''I knew I would have to play one of two more events back then when it was 11 but now that criteria is 13,'' he said at the World Golf Finals in Turkey. ''I don't know what my numbers are as I know I played 19 in the States this year and whether it crosses over or not but I will again look at it.
''I did play Abu Dhabi but then 13 are certainly a lot more than 11, especially playing full-time in the States.''
Woods would be only two or three events short of the 13 if the list includes the Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup, four majors, four World Golf Championship events and appearances in either Abu Dhabi or Dubai.
Meanwhile, organizers said they hope Woods will compete in the inaugural Turkish Open next year.
The $7million event will be played Nov. 7-10, 2013, at The Montgomerie Course in Belek.
Ahmet Agaoglu, president of the Turkish Golf Federation, said the 78-player European Tour event will take place a week before the season-ending Dubai championship.
Earlier, Agaoglu apologized for allegedly head-butting an official photographer before Woods' opening round match on Tuesday.
The altercation occurred when Woods was about to tee up against Charl Schwartzel. Agaoglu was seen arguing with the photographer and telling him to move off Woods' intended line of shot before security staff removed the accredited Turkish-born photographer from the first tee.
''They were pushing the security guards and one of them pushed me and I replied by pushing him back, as well,'' Agaoglu said. ''I am trying to make everything this week so perfect and it's unfortunate my reaction happened. However, I will prepare a written apology and send it to him apologizing for my own actions.''
No comments:
Post a Comment