By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Former WBC/WBA minimum weight champion Katsunari Takayama of Osaka who was signed up by ALA Promotions last May and trains at the famed gym in Cebu has beaten the odds and won his IBF title eliminator showdown over South Africa’s Tshepo Lefele at Carnival City in Gauteng on a big card promoted by well-known boxing man Branco Milenkovic.
In the main event Mzonke Fana (30-4, 12 KO’s) won a lopsided decision over Cassius Baloyi (37-5-1, 1( KO’s) to regain the vacant IBF lightweight title which he had lost to Baloyi in April 2008 while IBF flyweight champion Moruti “Baby Face” Mthalane retained his title with a 5th round TKO over previously undefeated Zolani Tete who was dropped once in round five before referee Toni Tiberi called a halt at 2:27 of the round.
Mthalane had previously lost by a 6th round TKO in a title shot at Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire on November 1, 2008 while Fana won a controversial twelve round split decision over Randy Suico in a super featherweight title eliminator on May 28, 2004 before losing by a 2nd round knockout to champion Marco Antonio Barrera on April 9, 2005.
The 27 year old Takayama who is ranked No. 9 by the IBF scored a 6th round TKO over the 30 year old Lefele, ranked No. 4, when referee Deon Dwarte called a halt as Takayama dominated the South African who some years ago was stopped by the Philippines Gabriel Pumar in a WBC International title fight in South Africa.
With the win Takayama who was coming off a twelve round unanimous decision loss to Roman Gonzalez in Kobe, Japan in a title fight on July 14, 2009 improved to 24-4 with 10 knockouts and is determined to regain the world title.
Takayama was set to engage in a tune-up fight in Mandaue City last May but he met with a freak accident while he was jogging and hurt his right wrist.
