[Crimson]

Tuesday, July 7th, 1992
Cobo Arena; Detroit, MI
Jemal Hinton 24-2-2 (19) MI
vs.
Welcome Ncita 35-0-1 (14) South Africa IBF
- This fight was a rematch. During the “World Team Championship” they had fought to a 4 round draw in South Africa.
- The undefeated IBF title holder had looked very good during “World Team Championship” matches, beating Kiyoshi Hatanaka, Thierry Jacob, Kennedy McKinney, and Pedro Decima. All of those wins were by decision.
- Sean O’Grady and Al Albert called this fight for USA networks “Tuesday Night Fights”.
- Welcome Ncita was a 2-1 favorite to successfully defend his title.
- Hinton sustained a gash under his left eye in round 2 along with some minor swelling (5), in a very good round for Ncita.
- Following the instructions of his trainer, Emanuel Steward, Hinton began to utilize his speed and boxing skills with effectiveness in rounds 3 thru 5.
- After 5 rounds Ringside Expert Steve McCarthy had it 59 to 57 for Hinton. Punches landed after 5 rounds favored Hinton 114-108.
- In round 6 the closing left eye (9) of Hinton began to bother him.
- Despite being exhausted, Hinton managed to fight Ncita on even terms in rounds 7-8.
- Ncita went all out for the kayo late in the fight and although he never hurt Hinton, he impressively won the final 3 rounds.
- At the fights conclusion Hinton could barely see out of his left eye (13). Punches landed favored Ncita 293 to 192.
- Ringside expert Steve McCarthy had it 115 to 114 for Hinton.
- The USA judge had 116-114 for Hinton, the Panama judge had it 118 to 112 for Ncita, and the 2nd USA judge had it 115 to 114 for the winner by split decision and…..
NEW IBF Jr. Feather Weight Champion JEMAL HINTON!!!!
- There were many in the press who derided the decision, or at least questioned it, as pure hometown verdict. Television announcers Sean O’Grady and Al Albert pointed out that the punches landed numbers favored Ncita by over 100 blows! They also pointed to Ncita’s punches being the more damaging, as evidenced by the damage done to Hinton’s face. Nicta by comparison appeared virtually unmarked.
- The judges may have been impressed by the higher volume of punches thrown by Hinton, although he missed 751 to 371 for Ncita.
- Hinton’s gash under his left eye was a “gusher” (6 worst rated), he will need some time to let it heal.
- Ncita and his camp were very disappointed with the decision and demanded a rematch. Hinton, however will move on in the tournament to next face the winner of Friday nights Tracy Patterson vs. Jesus Salud battle.
Jemal Hinton Ws12 Welcome Ncita (wins IBF title)