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LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE
FOR KHUMALO BROTHERS
Friday 27 September 2002
Back on the 11th of September South African Welterweight Benedict Khumalo was stopped on cuts in round five of his professional debut against the Englishman Lloyd Honeyghan. Tonight his younger brother Delron suffered the same unfortunate result, the Featherweight's bout against Japan's Masashi Kaneda ending just 44 seconds into round two. A hard-punching, aggressive fighter, Khumalo had controlled the opening round but was caught by a smashing right cross that opened a sickening gash on his left eyebrow. The ring doctor was quick to decide that the contest should be stopped.
Khumalo wailed in anger, the images from his brother's defeat still fresh and painful in his mind. He protested, insisting that he at least be allowed to finish the round and let his trainers work on the cut during the intermission. His behaviour was in contrast to the gracious, well-mannered attitude he'd displayed during the IBL's selection trials but his frustration was perfectly understandable. He was expected to defeat Kaneda quite easily and it devastated him that a single punch had ended his chances of victory. The fact that the fight took place in his homeland at the Carnival City Big Top Arena made the result an especially bitter pill to swallow.
The Khumalo brothers are Zulus who hail from one of South Africa's poorest regions. Hopefully they'll find more success in their upcoming bouts, as they are both talented fighters.
***
In the Co-Feature Mexico's Alberto Arizmendi made a great start to his career, scoring a dominant unanimous decision win over Peru's Fernando Zamacola (59-55, 58-57, 59-55). The 16 year-old was always in control, with Zamacola only coming close to his level in round three. Arizmendi displayed lightning fists, constantly tagging the Peruvian with pinpoint combinations and a piston-like jab. After doing just enough through the first five rounds Arizmendi opened up in the final stanza, pummeling Zamacola with a relentless assault and coming close to flooring him. Arizmendi outlanded his opponent 230-89 and showed that he'll be one to watch as the Future Contender series continues.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS
INTERNATIONAL BOXING LEAGUE FIGHT CARD
FRIDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 2002
CARNIVAL CITY BIG TOP ARENA, JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
IBL FUTURE CONTENDER SERIES
FEATHERWEIGHT DIVISION - GROUP TWO, SERIES ONE
OPENING BOUT
Stevie Cruz D6 Gracieux Lamperti
PRELIMINARY 1
Jesan Valenzuela D6 Everett Rightmire
PRELIMINARY 2
Rolly Santiago UD6 Fernando Tavarez
SUPPORT BOUT
Paul Jorgensen UD6 Bruno Alves
CO-FEATURE
Alberto Arizmendi UD6 Fernando Zamacola
MAIN EVENT
Masashi Kaneda TKO2 Delron Khumalo
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