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Joyi retains his IBO
mini-flyweight crown
(IOL - iol.co.za)
November 17 2007
Nkosinathi Joyi knocked out Philippines
challenger Gabriel Pumar in 29 seconds to retain his International
Boxing Organisation (IBO) mini-flyweight crown at Great Centenary Hall
in Port Elizabeth at the weekend.
Stepping into the ring for the first time after more than a year of
inactivity, Joyi showed no signs of rustiness. The fight was fought at
a furious pace and produced fireworks in the seconds it lasted.
Joyi's hand-speed was the difference between the two southpaw fighters
who tore on each other in front of packed hall.
However ,the Filipino was made to pay dearly every time he threw a
punch as Joyi would fire incessant bombs, driving Pumar around the
ring.
Unable to deal with the pressure, Pumar circled the ring while Joyi
advanced menacingly and was always ready to strike.
His hands swinging like a pendulum , Joyi's flurry of punches made
Pumar hesitate to fire back, giving the champion time to pick his
spots.
Although Pumar was out-gunned, he tried to fight back and landed a few
blows of his own. But Joyi easily walked through every thing Pumar
threw his way and landed his own punches.
After landing right-left combinations to the face, Joyi staggered
Pumar towards his corner where a left uppercut to the solar plexus and
a ramrod right hook in the midsection slumped Pumar to the canvas.
The Filipino tried to get up but the effort was too much as his body
refused to respond while referee Phil Austin from Australia counted
him out.
Joyi who is still unbeaten in 18 bouts with 13 stoppages is possibly
the country's hottest property and did not deserve the long layoff he
was subjected to when his former promoter Rodney Berman and his
current manager Siphatho Handi could not see eye to eye over the
fighter's promotional contract.
"I have been starved of action for over a year and I was eager to show
people that I am still one of the best," he said.
"No fighter in the mini-flyweight division can take my punch." - Sapa
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