Cronje neutralises February’s attacks to take middleweight title

Julian Kiewietz

Thaiholics Fight Promotions hosted their inaugural instalment of Daybreak, a tournament series focusing on the upcoming amateur fighters in and around Cape Town.

There were 11 action-filled fights, three of which had titles on the line and fans were treated to a beautiful display of heart, technique and showmanship at the Sunningdale Sports Complex in Milnerton this weekend.

The bout between Brian Ncube (Thaiholics) and Likhaya Hanise (Top Primate) was a clinical chess game of clinching. Clinching is a fundamental aspect of Muay Thai that is arduous to master, but both fighters put on an excellent display of skills.

There was a constant exchange of knees and elbows in the clinch, with both fighters showcasing arm control, distance management, and the seamless transition into different positions. These technical intricacies in the clinch were a sight to behold. The three-round fight went the distance, with Ncube obtaining the split-decision win.

The co-main event featured Cape Town’s Michael Bezuidenhout (Ncedo Gomba Fighting) squaring up against Johannesburg’s Richard Spagnolo (Elite Muay Thai). This fight would be the final time Bezuidenhout defended his super-lightweight WMO (World Muay Thai Organisation) South African title.

The fight was originally scheduled for TFP 9: Battle Royale, but unfortunately, Spagnolo withdrew due to injury.

The first round began with Bezuidenhout being the aggressor and controlling the ring space. Spagnolo was unrelenting and fired some clean hook punches and two push-kicks to the face of an unfazed Bezuidenhout.

The second round resumed with Bezuidenhout fiercely walking Spagnolo down. Bezuidenhout landed a shattering overhand right punch, which sent Spagnolo to the canvas, leading to another title defence for Bezuidenhout.

The main event was an enthralling clash between Justin February (Pride Fighting Academy) and Phillip Cronje (Monarch), with February putting his Middleweight WMO South African title on the line. This fight was a clash of styles, with Cronje’s fluid but accurate style against February’s power and aggression.

Shortly after the first bell, February managed to push-kick Cronje twice in mid-air, causing him to fall to the canvas. In the second round, Cronje gained more confidence and showed great head movement to evade February’s punches. Despite February being the aggressor, his attacks were neutralised by the long-range body and push-kicks from Cronje.

During the third round, Cronje landed a flush straight right punch, causing February to stumble onto the ropes. Upon repositioning himself, February was unable to continue. Thus, Cronje walked away as the newly-crowned WMO SA middleweight champion.

Results

Amateur: Andrew Naude (Elite MMA) beat Milan Lewis (Team Lewis) via unanimous decision – 27kg; Waldimar Valentyn (Brothers Combat Institute) beat Ismaeel Booley (Fighterz Inc.) via unanimous decision – 50kg Flyweight; Nuha Shah (Pride Fighting Academy) beat Gabrielle Van Wyk (Thaiholics) via TKO in round 3 – 49kg Catchweight; Jordan Saaiman (Brothers Combat Institute) beat Jayden Holmes (Elite Muay Thai) via unanimous decision – 61kg Lightweight; Leo Knoetze (Monarch) beat Dilane Foyang (Viper MMA) via unanimous decision – 95kg Heavyweight

Pro-Am: Dean Grobler (Thaiholics) beat Jordan Eveleigh (Brothers Combat Institute) via TKO in round 2 – 72.5kg middleweight; Matthew Ketteringham (Thaiholics) beat Kagiso Manyamala (Pride Fighting Academy) via unanimous decision – 76kg super-middleweight; Brian Ncube (Thaiholics) beat Likhaya Hanise (Top Primate) via split decision – 58kg featherweight

Pro-Am WMO South African titles: Verné Prinsloo (Thaiholics) beat Miné Graaff (Brothers Combat Institute) via TKO in round 1 – 56kg super- bantamweight; Michael Bezuidenhout (Ncedo Gomba Fighting) beat Richard Spagnolo (Elite Muay Thai) via KO in round 2 – 63.5kg super- lightweight; Phillip Cronje (Monarch) beat Justin February (Pride Fighting Academy) via TKO in round 3 – 72.5kg middleweight