By Alexey Sukachev
After more than a year of inactivity, the IBF's lightest champion, holder of the minimumweight title, Nkosinathi Joyi returned to the ring and he didn't look particularly good against a rare Japanese challenger for this version of the crown.
A former two-time world titleholder and now IBF #1 ranked contender, Katsunari Takayama, gave the champion fits and fought hard in his backyard but at the end of the day it didn't matter, as all three judges gave the decision to the South African: 117-110 (Marcus McDonnell) and 116-111 (Shafeeq Rashada and Sylvia Mokayla). Takayama slips down to 24-5, with 10 KOs, while still undefeated Joyi (22-0, 15 KOs) makes just the second defense of his belt in over two years. The story doesn't end here as it was the second meeting between the boxers. Their first collision almost fifteen months ago ended in no contest after two and a half rounds of action. It was Joyi's first defense of the title.
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Long-time South African featherweight champion Sabelo Jubatha moved up to 9-1, with 7 KOs, after a ten-round decision over Wonga Ntoyakhe (5-6, 1 KO). Jubatha acquired his title in December 2009, made two title defenses, then was stripped of the belt but last November won it again.
Former IBF Flyweight title challenger Zolani Tete (16-2, 14 KOs), now competing as a bantamweight, stopped unheralded Siphiwo Ntsangani (0-2) with a single body shot early into the first. Zolani is ranked #6 by the IBF at 115 lbs.
In a fight of debutants, Zolani's younger brother Makazole Tete (1-0, 1 KO) continued the trend and knocked out Unathi Cecane (0-1) in the very first round.
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BoxingScene thanks Marcus McDonnell for the details on the show
