Phikelelani Khumalo's 10th Fight Makes History in SA Boxing

(The Post News)– South African boxing witnessed a historic moment last night when former footballer Phikelelani “Stinger” Khumalo became the new middleweight champion in just his 10th professional fight, despite having no amateur boxing experience.

Hailing from Mthwalume, south of Durban, the 27-year-old Khumalo, once a striker for Golden Arrows and Maritzburg United in the MultiChoice Diski Challenge, dethroned veteran champion John “Section 29” Bopape in a dominant unanimous decision at Estcourt’s Town Hall in KwaZulu-Natal.

Khumalo’s left hand proved lethal, sending the experienced Bopape to the canvas three times in rounds two, four, and eleven. Though the Johannesburg-based champion beat the eight-count each time, he lost crucial points, tilting the fight heavily in Khumalo’s favour. With no option but to secure a knockout, Bopape found himself outclassed by the determined challenger.

In what many would have called a mismatch, Khumalo’s conditioning and relentless pressure belied his inexperience. His efforts were rewarded with a decisive victory, as judges Thokozane Ncube, Eric Khoza, and Hlengiwe Ngubane scored the fight 117-108, 118-109, and 117-109, respectively.

Bopape, 32, who had defended his national title twice, saw his reign come to an end as he suffered his 11th career defeat. Before the bout, he dismissed Khumalo as all talk—but the younger fighter proved otherwise, securing his eighth career win.

The event, hosted by Starline Boxing Promotions, also saw South African flyweight champion Nkosingiphile Sibisi successfully defend his title against Zolie “Scientist” Miya. Meanwhile, Nkukululeko Mncube made history by becoming the first female boxer to win a KwaZulu-Natal provincial boxing title, claiming the bantamweight championship against Asanda Mkhwanazi.