Last Saturday night, Thabiso Mchunu beat Eddie Chambers on points in a cruiserweight bout in Uncasville, Connecticut, by 99-91 on two cards and 97-93 on the third against a former heavyweight title contender, registering the best victory of his career. Mchunu had hardly any trouble in keeping the experienced Chambers at bay and picked his punches well throughout. Rated seventh by the WBC, Mchunu probably put himself in line for more lucrative bouts against good opponents. He improved his professional record to 14-1, with 10 knockouts. Chambers dropped to 36-3, including 18 short-cut wins.

The 31-year-old American had fought the likes of Samuel Peter, Wladimir Klitschko and Alexander Povetkin. He fought at heavyweight for most of his 13 years as a professional but recently dropped to the cruiserweight division.

Mchunu, a 24-year-old southpaw, had never fought outside South Africa before taking part in this bout.

SAPA reports that promoter Damian Michael said after the bout: "They said I was crazy to throw Thabiso into the lion's den at this stage of his career but I recognised a special talent; my decision has been vindicated. He is now, in my book, South Africa's most exciting and hard-hitting boxing prospect."

Michael said he had already been inundated with offers for Mchunu, who won the SA Super 8 series last year, to fight in the United States again.

"His immediate career is in America but he [returned to] South Africa on Tuesday to continue training while negotiations for his next fight are concluded."