In a 10-round spectacle, in front of a packed Vibrant Sports hall, Mbuyiseli Ndukwana did the unthinkable and beat the crowd favourite, Shameeg Williams, to be crowned the new Western Cape lightweight champion.
Heading into the fight, the champion, Williams, from Heideveld, was more calm and confident than the challenger, Ndukwana, from Knysna.
Williams has won four and lost one of his previous five fights. Two of his victories and his loss came via knockouts.
Williams found security in having trainer Ashley Whiteboy in his corner. Despite initial disbelief in the judge’s results on the night, Whiteboy is the trainer credited with introducing the public to Jamie “Weapons” Webb, the former provincial middleweight champion.
As expected, the main bout was nothing short of a battle between the two warriors.
Williams executed the instructions from the corner well in the early rounds – finding openings and delivering good power punches to the temple. However, as the result ruled in favour of Ndukwana, Williams said he would head back to the drawing board to prepare for what’s next.
“I think it was a close fight but the judges saw it differently. His punches were hitting my defence. I was putting him under pressure,” said Williams.
The young Williams said he is open to a rematch.
Whiteboy, from Westrdige, said they are going to sit down as a team to discuss a way forward. He believes Williams won the fight despite the judge’s scorecards.
“He is not scared to fight anyone. He showed heart. He defended the title with pride. His power punching was much more accurate. The champion, Shameeg was making that fight. The challenger must attack the champion. Ndukwana didn’t,” he said.
“One of the judges gave it to Shameeg and the other two gave it to Ndukwana. Shameeg was attacking him throughout the fight. No disrespect to the other fighter but I believe Shameeg won the fight,” said Whiteboy.
In the later rounds, Ndukwana started to wear off, but instead of moving to the ropes to recover, he kept the centre of the ring, working Williams with power punching combinations to the body.
The back-and-forth shift between the challenger and the champion began to worry some of the hundreds of spectators from Mitchell’s Plain in attendance.
Since Ndukwana’s debut in 2019, he has experienced 42 rounds in the ring in nine bouts. Saturday night’s dual was Ndukwana’s fifth victory, with four of his wins coming via knockouts.
Ndukwana was under pressure to deliver results against Williams. In his last outing to East London in March, he lost via a split decision to Mhlanganisi Sogcwayi.
He knew a win would put him in the driving seat for a shot at the super featherweight SA title.
“Now I am going to keep on training and grooming the young people back at home. I am sure they are watching. I am looking forward to the SA title. Like I said, I am coming for it,” said Ndukwana.
Promoter Jack Brice, from Jackie Brice Boxing Promotions, said the main fight was a top fight between two great athletes that made boxing proud. A return match is in the talks.
