Nkosi surprises Lopez to claim WBF title
Nkosi shocked Lopez with a TKO in the seventh round, becoming one of the few South Africans to win the lightweight title.
Ayanda ‘Greyhound’ Nkosi (26) from Katlehong produced the fight of his life when he defeated Mexico’s Emanuel ‘Polo’ Lopez to claim the vacant World Boxing Federation (WBF) lightweight belt at the Turffontein Portuguese Hall on Saturday night, September 30.
Katlehong-born Nkosi said he was happy to be the first boxer from the township to win the title.
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“It motivates me, especially since all along I’ve been busy with African and South African titles for a while. I got an opportunity to fight for a world title and grabbed it with both hands and made good use of it. Everything I wished for has come true,” said Nkosi.
He said he is now eyeing World Boxing Council (WBC) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) titles held by another Mexican, Vasyl Lomachenko.
“I wish to challenge him in future, but right now I do not qualify for these titles.”
He described the worst moment of the Lopez bout, which came in round three.
“He hit me with his head on purpose. I lost it, but I immediately calmed down, as reacting to that hit would have given him the upper hand.”
However, Nkosi kept control of the fight from the word go.
“Everything went according to my plan. I did not allow him to do whatever he wanted to do. If I wanted him in the corner, I would take him there and do whatever I liked with him. That is why it was easy to knock him out during the seventh round.”
Nkosi encouraged young people to come to the gym and stop abusing dangerous substances that will consume their lives.
“I wish all of them could be champions like me one day,” he said.
Nkosi is currently the holder of the WBA Pan African Champion, SA Champion as well as WBF Champion titles.
Vusi Malinga, Nkosi’s manager, said he was proud of Nkosi.
“He has done a lot at his age. I am happy about what he has achieved. This year alone he has won two titles, SA Champion by knockout during round six against Thompson Mokwana. And then WBF Champion during the seventh round against Emmanuel Lopez.
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“He has done a lot and made us proud, especially the community of Katlehong. He took it up from where we left off,” said Malinga.
During his time as a boxer, Malinga, who is the manager of JD Malinga Boxing Fitness, won the SA Champion, WBC International, and WBA Pan African titles before he retired from the sport in 2015.
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