{"id":100253,"date":"2015-09-22T09:22:00","date_gmt":"2015-09-22T07:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/100253\/blow-by-blow-action-at-emperors-2\/"},"modified":"2015-09-22T09:20:08","modified_gmt":"2015-09-22T07:20:08","slug":"blow-by-blow-action-at-emperors-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/sports-news\/2015\/09\/22\/blow-by-blow-action-at-emperors-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Blow-by-blow action at Emperors"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the year\u2019s most anticipated boxing tournaments, Uncivil War, took fans by storm at Emperors Palace, on Saturday.<\/p>\n

The four bouts witnessed on the night had fans pumping with an adrenaline-rush.<\/p>

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One of the fights that people had been longing to see was the night\u2019s last bout, contested by Hekkie Budler and Simphiwe Khonco.<\/p>\n

Long-considered South African boxing\u2019s pound-for-pound king, Budler had two of his titles, WBA and IBO minimumweight, on the line.<\/p>

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With a bout scheduled for 12 rounds, fans witnessed world-class boxing.<\/p>\n

Budler left no room for analysis in the first round, going straight for Khonco, who was pulling back during most of that round.<\/p>\n

Only towards the end of the round did Khonco up his game.<\/p>\n

Great blows were seen in the second round, as both fighters had seemingly studied each other\u2019s techniques.<\/p>\n

The damaging jabs from Khonco resulted in a cut under Budler\u2019s left eye, a definite cause for concern.<\/p>\n

The bleeding did not, however, stop him from pressing forward.<\/p>\n

From the third round both fighters were bleeding and suffering as a result of each other\u2019s firm and accurate punches.<\/p>\n

These boxers were tactful and skilled and it was evident in each round.<\/p>\n

In the fifth, Budler slipped to one knee after a knock from his challenger, but soon punished Khonco for that blow, cornering him jab-by-jab towards the end of the round.<\/p>\n

Not much action was witnessed in the three rounds that followed and the answer to the shallow action was evident in round nine, as the boxers were seemingly worn-out.<\/p>\n

This was heavily evident in the weakened throws and jabs that met no opponent but were rather flying in the air.<\/p>\n

Budler\u2019s fans got to their feet and kept shouting his name which motivated him into action.<\/p>\n

The energy came back as Khonco launched retaliation upper cuts at the re-energised Budler.<\/p>\n

Round 12 lived up to its description as \u201cthe last-minute round\u201d, as all boxers try to score some last-minute points when the bout goes the full distance.<\/p>\n

Any reserved energy and skills are witnessed in this round, as the boxers also try for a knock-out – but that was not on the cards for this bout.<\/p>\n

The judges scored the fight 117-111; 115-113 and 116-112, in favour of Budler.<\/p>\n

The other fightcard results are:<\/p>\n