27.01.07 – Commonwealth Bantamweight Champion Tshifhiwa Munyai continued his campaign of victory over the best of Britain’s little men last night in London as the six foot, 118 lb South African stopped British Champion Martin Power in a rematch over four one sided rounds at the Goresbrook LC in Dagenham, London. The 21 year old from Soweto now looms over the British Isles as promoter Frank Maloney has begun his search for a fighter that can defend English soil against the towering African..
“Munyai is one of the best young fighters I’ve seen,” said Maloney. “I’m not sure anyone in Britain can stand up to what he can do in the ring.”
The rangy Munyai, 13-0 (8), peppered Power at will during the rematch, raking the much shorter Londoner with sizzling combinations. Despite his incredible height, Munyai displayed that can do the business on the inside as well, rocketing Power with bracing uppercuts that negated the British Champion’s strategy of crowding the long armed Commonwealth kingpin.
An arm injury suffered by Power, 19-2 (8), in the second round doomed the 26 year old, who bravely continued until his trainer Johnny Eames had seen enough after four rounds.
Ex-IBO Super Middle titlist Brian Magee, 27-3 (18), was also on the bill and showed excellent form in taking a final eliminator for the British Light Heavyweight title in style, turning back the aspirations of Andrew Lowe, 16-2 (1), over ten rounds. Belfast based Irish southpaw Magee will now target the British title.
Previously undefeated prospect Gary Woolcombe, 22-1 (7), suffered his first loss as the 24 year old Welling man proved unable to solve the awkward style of English Light Middleweight Champion Andrew Facey, 19-4-1 (6). Woolcombe pressed the taller man throughout the bout but couldn’t shake off the effects of a massive right hand from Facey in the fifth frame.
6 foot 7 inch Irish heavyweight Scott Belshaw, 4-0 (4), kept his perfect record with a second round hammering of Uzbek tourist Makhmud Otazhanov, 4-4 (3), and Akaash Bhatia, 5-0 (1), won in style, stopping hapless Ukrainian import Sergii Tertii, 1-13-1 (0), in the second.
Rounding out the Frank Maloney Promotions bill, heavyweight John McDermott and light heavy Tony Salem were victorious while featherweight Clifford Smith and Light Welter Tom Glover both were held to a draw.