(July 9, 2023) – In an exciting and close encounter in Mossel Bay, South Africa on Saturday, July 8, Sanele Mhlungu captured the vacant World Boxing Federation (WBF) International Light Flyweight title against fellow countryman Lebogang Pilane.
On a show promoted by Jackie Brice Boxing Promotions, Mhlungu got off to a strong start and floored Pilane in the first round, but Pilane beat the count of referee Clifford Mbelu and weathered the storm.
It was back and forth, and while Mhlungu had a superior and impressive work-rate, Pilane did very well in the second half and made it a close fight.
After ten action-packed rounds, judges Sipho Ndongeni and Elroy Marshal scored the fight 97-92 and 96-93 in favour of Mhlungu, while judge Oscar Noels saw it 95-94 for Pilane.
The winner by split decision, Mhlungu improved his professional record to 5-1-2 (4) as he won his first title in the pad ranks. Pilane drops to a deceiving 4-6 (2).
