Williams crowned new WC lightweight champ

It took a six-round punching combination for Heideveld’s Shameeg Williams to be crowned the new Western Cape lightweight boxing champion in Ottery on Saturday night, March 30.

In what was perhaps a welcome back to professional boxing for the year in the province, Williams and Kraaifontein’s Siphenathi Qampi, headlined a 10-round boxing fight at Vibrant Boxing Academy.

In the spirit of developing boxing in the province, the promoter Jackie Brice, acknowledged his sponsors for the assistance in putting together the five-fight showcase of 10 professional boxers from the Western Cape.

Singing their hearts out, the crowd brought it all together, igniting the passion of each pugilist. Some came from as far as Green Point, Mitchell’s Plain, Khayelitsha and Philippi to support their favourite fighter.

From the left corner of the hall, near the oke with a grey newsboy cap, to the near right corner, in the first row, where the provincial female champion Simamkele Tutsheni was seated, every punch was followed by an “ooh” and “aah” that echoed around the venue.

Qampi was making a return to the ring following his defeat to Mbuyiseli Ndukwana in April last year. Having last tasted victory in 2019 against Luthando Mkwini in Plettenberg Bay, Qampi started the fight against Williams in high spirit.

Qampi was the more experienced pugilist on the night with a record of seven wins and 12 losses. He had height and reach advantage over Williams.

In rounds one and two, Qampi used his jab to keep Williams at bay and moved slickly across the ring.

While Qampi displayed high energy early in the fight, Williams, on the other hand, preserved it well until it was time to unleash the beast.

Late in round three momentum shifted in Williams’ favour. He was cutting the ring and often found Qampi’s rib cage with his power punches.

Coached by Ashley Whiteboy, the trainer that produced the provincial middleweight champion, Jami Webb, from Kuils River, Williams’ packs a dynamite.

At the end of the night, Williams added four wins and one loss to his tally. He is the second active champion out of Heideveld. His neighbour and the WBF Africa international welterweight champion, Wasim Chellan is gearing up to compete for the IBO international belt in Germany next month.

At some point in round four of the fight, fight official Deon Duartte had to minus a point from Qampi. He ignored numerous warnings by the referee to stop holding Williams.

Nonetheless, the fight did not go all the way. Qampi was caught with a punch to the rib cage while moving near the ropes. He tried to find his balance but fell, in an awkward way that almost saw him fall out of the ring. He got up from that but dropped his arms and gave his back to opponent. The referee had seen enough of the punishment and stopped the fight.

As soon as Duartte gave his signal for the end of the fight, the crowd ran into the ring in rather bizarre behaviour, perhaps for Williams or just for the opportunity to jump into the ring. One of the supporters, a woman presumably in her early twenties, rolled into the ring with a baby in her arms. She stood up, took a step to the left, proceeded to take a double step to the right, before running into Williams for a hug. The baby was happy and dizzy in the boxer’s sweaty arms.

Meanwhile, Lwando Mtshontshi, from 9Sai Boxing Club won via a fourth round knockout against Luvuyo Kethelo, from Mossel Bay in the fly weight division.

Asavela Peter, from Future Champs in Philippi, beat Xhanti Jafta in a second round knockout.

Mava Sitoto, from Terror Stable, won against Luyolo Mvula, from Grassroots in Khayelitsha, via a split decision over six rounds.

Anele Hela, from SN Boxing won on points after going head-to-head with Zusiphe Panci from Crossroads.

Brice Boxing Promotions said they will announce a date for another boxing showdown sanctioned by Boxing South Africa for the end of April.