In one of the poorest crowds in attendance at a fight in recent years, the tireless activity of Mexico’s Ulises Lara throughout proved more than enough to take a unanimous 12-round points decision over South African flyweight champion Thembelani Nxoshe, to claim the vacant WBC International flyweight title at the Mdantsane Indoor Sports Centre near East London on Friday night.

Judge Siya Vabaza-Booi (SA) scored it 116-114 and judges Ishmail Khoali (SA) and Eliseo Gonzalez (Mexico) had it 117-111 and 116-112.

Judge Khoali was closer to the mark in a fight that saw Lara fighting off the front foot as he attacked and, even though he missed with wild punches on occasions, he was in control throughout the 12 rounds.

There was no doubt about the winner as the well-conditioned Nxoshe (50,70kg) tried to make a fight of it, scoring with some shots to the head of the ever-advancing Lara (50,50kg).

Lara was relentless as he attacked to the head and body but the South African never seemed in danger of being stopped or knocked down.

Referee Thabo Spampool had an easy night’s work in a clean fight.

Lara improved his record to 21-16-2; 12 and Nxoshe’s record dropped to 19-8-2; 6.

In the main supporting bout, the highly-touted 19-year-old junior-flyweight Nhlanhla Tyira, who was only having his third bout as a professional, beat the 31-year-old former World Boxing Federation minimumweight champion Luyanda Kwanka (aka Nkwanka) (10-13-2 (5)) on a highly-disputed eight-round split decision.

The scores were 78-74 and 77-76 for Tyira, and 77-75 for Kwanka.

Agencies