Local boxer Bonginkosi Nhlapo, trained by Steven Pieterse, dealt a huge blow to his chances of fighting for the South African Light-heavyweight Title by losing on points to Gerhard Thysse on Friday night.

Thysse has only had two professional fights, while Nhlapo is the WBF Africa light-heavyweight champion. The fight is being promoted by Kevin Lerena’s Aquilla Boxing Promotions and took place at The Galleria in Sandton.

Nhlapo, a native of Nelspruit, is set to defend his WBF title on September 19.

A disappointed Pieterse said after the fight that he would cut Nhlapo’s vacation short and that his boxing career would be seriously taken under scrutiny.

Pieterse’s father, Happy Pieterse, is a former national light-heavyweight champion. Thysse, on the other hand, is the cousin of another light-heavyweight, Bryan Thysse, who outpointed Nhlapo at Emperors Palace in December last year.

Nhlapo now has four wins, three losses and a draw, while Thysse is undefeated after three fights