By Ron Jackson

Using his height and reach to full advantage, Tommy Oosthuizen scored a majority 12 round points decision over Thabiso Mchunu to claim the African Boxing Union cruiserweight title in an all southpaw clash at Emperors Palace near Kempton Park on Saturday night. The scores were 115-113 twice and 114-114. Using the perimeter of the ring Oosthuizen (88.75kg) used his accurate right jab to outscore Mchunu (89.70kg) through the first four rounds. The much shorter Mchunu fought the wrong fight as failed to get in close and score to the body and battled with Oosthuizen’s style However, as Oosthuizen began to tire in the later rounds Mchunu began to score with the right jab and caught him with some solid shots to the chin and head on occasions. Even though Mchunu managed to close the gap it was not enough as Oosthuizen won the fight against the odds despite his long absence from the ring and personal problems. It is now possible that Oosthuizen will challenge fellow South African Kevin Lerena for his IBO cruiserweight belt.

Ryno Liebenberg proved too strong for Alfonso Tissen and won on a fifth round stoppage against the gutsy Alfonso Tissen to claim the vacant African Boxing Union super-middleweight title. Time was 1:48.