Cassius Baloyi won his sixth world championship when he beat Mzonke Fana on points to take over the IBF junior lightweight title at Mafikeng on Saturday night.
The challenger regained the belt in a classic scrap at the University Sports Complex when he won 117-111 and 116-112 on two of the cards, with the third judge making it a 114-114 draw.
Fana seemed to be turning the tables from the sixth round but he split one of his gloves in the eighth round just as Baloyi seemed to start fading.
The gloves change certainly gave Baloyi a much needed breather and Fana had to start all over again when the action resumed.
In a battle of former world titlists, junior lightweight Cassius Baloyi (34-3-1, 18 KOs) put himself in line to retake the IBF world title when he beat Gairy St Clair (38-5-2, 17 KOs) on points in an IBF title eliminator at Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, on Monday night. The South African won 116-112 on two cards and 120-108 on the card of a judge who completely missed a splendid performance by the Australia-based Guyanan. St Clair was ahead after six rounds but ran out of gas because of his all-out attack game plan, and allowed Baloyi to take control and win the last six rounds. Baloyi will now fight Mzonke Fana for the IBF title.
Cassius Baloyi won his sixth world championship when he beat Mzonke Fana on points to take over the IBF junior lightweight title at Mafikeng on Saturday night.