BoxRec

Marlin wrote:Saddly Gairy went down 112-116 (x2) 120-108. Did anyone see or hear anything about the fight?

By Ndzobongo Lwazi: Cassius ‘The Hitman’ Baloyi scored a unanimous 12 round points win over former world champion Gairy St Clair in Gauteng, South Africa on Monday(Nov 12) night. Baloyi has now won the right to meet fellow South African and IBF super-featherweight champion Mzonke Fana

In the chief support bout South African Thomas Mashaba proved too good for cocky American Eric Aiken, stopping him after 1:51 seconds of the ninth round with a well timed left hook. Mashaba retained his IBO Featherweight title and will be looking for bigger things in the future.

Gary St Clair made his way to the ring, weighing in at 58.3 kg and wearing black trunks. There were a few boos from the partisan crowd who were anticipating a good match up. Baloyi entered the ring to loud cheers, weighing 58.26kg and wearing white and gold trunks.

Round 1
Baloyi used his reach advantage to keep the shorter St Clair at bay. The Australian based African did his best to get on the inside and brawl with the former five time world champion but Baloyi controlled the round, landing a solid left hook and effective one twos, while working behind the jab. 10-9 Cassius

Round 2
St Clair managed to close the gap and put pressure on Baloyi in the second round, Baloyi used good movement to work his way off the ropes to make St Clair miss with many of his punches. There were good exchanges mid round but the telling blow was a solid left hook by Baloyi. 10-9 Baloyi

Round 3
St Clair put all the pressure on Baloyi in the third round making him fight off the ropes for most of the round. St Clair’s fighting on the inside won him the round. 10-9 St Clair.

Round 4
The Fight started to follow a trend with St Clair pressing the action and Baloyi fighting off the ropes. St Clair was very busy on the inside, throwing wild right hands and left right combinations but another left hook by Baloyi edged him a very close round. 10-9 Baloyi.

Round 5
The vocal crowd sang Shosholoza at the beginning of the round , trying to inspire Baloyi and look for more action from both fighters. Baloyi started the round well, opening up the distance with his jab, but St Clair kept coming forward, landing with a lot of punches. Baloyi was fighting St Calir’s fight. 10-10 too close to call.

Round 6
Again Baloyi started with the jab, while St Clair, leading with his head put pressure on the home fighter. There was a clash of heads mid round and good left right combination by St Clair. Baloyi managed to keep the fight at a distance and hence banking that round. 10-9 Baloyi.

Round 7
Baloyi came out jabbing again in the seventh round as St Clair closed the distance, there was a bit of boredom from the crowd as they roared their disapproval at the lack of action. St Clair was caught by a right hand while attempting to land with his own right hand. St Clair,though, returned fire with a big right hand of his own at the bell. Another close round 10-10.

Round 8
Baloyi again beat the shorter St Clair to the punch with his jab as the Australian started to tire. Inside, St Clair was getting the better of the exchanges throwing a lot of punches even though they lacked any sting. Good exchanges at the bell leaves the crowd on their feet. 10-9 St Clair.

Round 9
St Clair pinned the local fighter on the ropes and caught him with some right hands as Baloyi countered. A heavy three punch combination caught by Baloyi caught St Clair charging in, but he managed to pressure and push Baloyi back onto the ropes. Baloyi fought well off the ropes as the Australian visably tired. 10-9 Baloyi.

Round 10
Baloyi came out jabbing in the championship rounds, as St Clair rained in a left hook and a two punch combination. Baloyi was again forced onto the ropes but fought his way out, to the appreciation of the crowd. 10-9 Baloyi.

Round 11
St Clair came out throwing combinations in the 11th round but Baloyi responded with a straight right to stop St Clair in his tracks . Both fighters showed signs of tiredness in this round. A left hook and right to the head by St Clair closed the round in which he did a lot of effective work on the inside. 10-9 St Clair.

Round 12
The crowd gave an unenthusiastic cheer as the final round began. St Clair and Baloyi went toe to toe in the final round in a last effort to impress the judges . A solid left hook rocked St Clair at the midway mark. The crowd were again on their feet singing shosholoza, as a big right hand from Baloyi once more hurt St Calr. 10-9 Baloyi

Baloyi won the eliminator with a unanimous decision, two judges scoring the fight 116-112 and the third 120-108. This writer Baloyi winning 117-113.

The crowd was left with a feeling of a home town decision but I felt Baloyi did enough to out-box the shorter St Clair, he will have to lift his game though if he is to challenge Mzonke Fana.