By Mark Vester
The comeback of former WBO heavyweight champion Corrie Sanders (42-4, 31KOs) is likely over. After making a return to the ring in 2006, after laying off for two years, Sanders averaged one-bout per year and piled up a two-fight win streak, but the streak has been broken.
The man who in 2003 had stopped Wladimir Klitschko in two-rounds and then the following year fought a spirited war with older brother Vitali Klitschko before getting stopped in the eight, was blown out in a single round by unheralded South African heavyweight champion Osborne Machimana (15-5-1, 11KOs) at the Emperors Palace Casino in Kempton Park, South Africa. Sanders was reported to have been very out of shape and breathing hard after a minute into the fight. He was dropped by a body shot to the rib cage and took the full count from the referee.
Machimana had been previously knocked out by New Zealand heavyweight Shane Cameron in 2006, and also lost a decision to contender Al Sosnowski. At age 42, Sanders will probably hang up the gloves.
In the main event, IBO bantamweight champion Silence Mabuza (21-2, 17KOs) stopped Filipino fighter Eden Sonsona (14-3, 3KOs) in the eight round.
Fomer heavyweight champion Mike Tyson was at ringside doing the play-by-play on the live broadcast in South Africa.
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