South African Ricardo Malajika wins WBC belt in Tokyo — TimesLIVE

South African boxer Ricardo Malajika defeated Japan’s Tomoya Tsuboi by split decision in Tokyo, Japan, to win the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) super flyweight title. The bout took place on Sunday.

As TimesLIVE reports, two judges awarded victory to the 28-year-old Malajika by scores of 116:112 and 115:113. The third judge scored the fight in favour of the 30-year-old Tsuboi, 115:113.

Turning point in the second half of the fight

Tsuboi, the 2021 amateur world champion, held the initiative in the first six rounds. The Japanese boxer quickly found his rhythm, controlled the course of the fight with his jab and landed dangerous right-hand punches. Early in the bout, he suffered a cut above the hairline after a clash of heads.

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Malajika fought at range, using his speed, power and ring work, attacking with single punches and frequently switching stances. He was vulnerable to right-hand counterpunches in the early rounds but gradually took control. In the seventh round, Tsuboi sustained a cut above his right eye after an accidental clash of heads.

Boxers’ statistics

Following the victory, Malajika’s record stands at 18 wins, 12 of them by knockout, and two losses. He also holds the International Boxing Organization (IBO) title in this weight division. It was Tsuboi’s first defeat in the professional ring: his record is now three wins, one loss and one no contest.

Malajika’s manager Brian Mitchell worked in his corner alongside trainer Manny Fernandez. The publication notes that Malajika’s victory came on the 40th anniversary of Mitchell winning the WBA super featherweight title in Sun City.