Connect with us

Articles of 2006

Baloyi blows it!

Published

on

I’m not going to jump up and down claiming Cassius Baloyi, who was definitely off form, was robbed on Saturday night because he wasn’t, but he could consider himself unlucky not to have earned the judges’ vote in a very close fight at the Emperor’s Palace in Kempton Park. He’ll also be asking himself for years to come, why he allowed himself to fall into such a precarious position against an opponent he should have beaten. Baloyi lost his IBF and IBO junior lightweight world titles to Guyana-born Gairy St. Claire, who now fights out of Australia.

There was a wonderful sense of respect in the air as the around 3000 strong audience gave Baloyi a standing ovation when he entered the ring. What a difference a credible world title makes. Although he previously held the WBU junior feather and featherweight world titles as well as the IBO junior lightweight world title, the claiming of the IBF version with his win over Manuel Medina a few months ago, gave him his long sought after and deserved recognition.

In an odd turn the respective national anthems were played prior to the fighters entering the ring. I found this ludicrous as anthems are played for the boxers to inspire them and to give audience the opportunity to feel pride in their warriors as they prepare for battle. Although he acknowledged the crowd, Baloyi did not look as conditioned and psyched as he usually does. I in fact got the sense that he did not really want to even be there.

Having been ringside at many of Baloyi’s fights I dismissed this observation as his face often belies what’s going on inside him. The first round the champion stayed on the outside and flashed out his jab to keep the challenger at bay who from the get go made it clear he intended hunting the champion down and every punch he threw, was with conviction. Baloyi landed some well placed counterpunches to St. Claire’s face and took the first round.

St. Claire turned up the heat in the second round and tried to force his opponent against the ropes before unleashing bombs to his arms and gloves, with the occasional blow sneaking through to Baloyi’s head. It was clear that the challenger was hoping to stop his man and was not concerned with piling up the points. Baloyi again landed good combinations to his challenger’s head. Baloyi’s round.

Baloyi found a weakness in St. Claire’s armor in the third round, landing a series of right hooks to the challenger’s head. The challenger was relentless however and kept moving forward swinging and trying to force exchanges on the inside. He did manage to get through the champion’s defense, but was himself caught off balance by a solid right. Any misconception that Baloyi was in for an easy night’s work was totally dismissed. The champion had a fight on his hands. Baloyi’s round.

St. Claire, who showed no respect for the champion, continued to drive forward attacking his man relentlessly. Baloyi looked uncomfortable on the back foot and seemed to have lost the ability to throw a jab. St. Claire’s round.

The fifth round continued on the same vane with Baloyi throwing a few feeble counterpunches. The champion was already looking tired from the immense pressure the challenger was placing on him by maintaining a continued attack. Few effective punches were getting through, but the continued onslaught would’ve impressed the judges and did serve to rattle Baloyi’s corner. St. Claire’s round.

Baloyi came back in the sixth. He started using the ring better, making it difficult for St. Claire to catch him, but allowed the challenger to dictate the style of the fight, which often denigrated into a brawl. Again it was Baloyi who was landing more clean punches, but the challenger was throwing more blows. Whenever Baloyi’s right hook landed, St. Claire would wince and seemingly had no answer to it. Round even.

Baloyi continued to work his right to good effect and momentarily shook the challenger. He started settling into the fight and worked his way off the ropes well. With the challenger’s blows now carrying less heat, it looked as if Baloyi was on the verge of turning things around and being the one to be putting the pressure on. Baloyi’s round.

In the eighth round the champion reverted. St. Claire was warned for using his head and a few seconds later a trickle of blood was visible on the side of Baloyi’s left eye. The champion eased off the gas. St. Claire’s round

Baloyi threw a good combination to the challenger’s head at the start of the round and then just surfed the wave of attack from St. Claire. Brian Mitchell, who usually works Baloyi’s corner with Nic Durandt, remained on the outside of the ring for the duration of the fight, only slipping the champion’s chair in for him. One hopes all is well in the Durandt-Mitchell relationship as outside factors too often influence fighters in ways they shouldn’t. Where were Baloyi’s razor-sharp jabs, his power driving uppercuts, his impenetrable defense … where was Baloyi? St. Claire’s round

The tenth round was an action packed rumble as both men went for the jugular with grueling exchanges. Baloyi rocked St. Claire’s head back with his right hook and a swelling was clearly visible to the side of his left eye. Baloyi’s white trunks as well as St. Claire’s were gradually turning pink with the champion’s blood which continued to flow from his left eye. Again the debate over effective clean punches versus number of blows would raise its head on the scorecards here. The champion’s punches hit their target while the flurry of blows from the challenger’s were hit and miss.

The frenetic pace of the previous round continued in the eleventh and twelfth rounds. The challenger also moved in, rubbing his head in the face of the champion to assist the bloody free flow from the gaping wound on the champion’s left eye. The two men bludgeoned each other and this was another fight in which 12 rounds was just not enough. I gave the tenth and twelfth rounds to Baloyi, the eleventh to St. Claire, which made Baloyi a one point winner on my card. The judges preferred the all action approach of St. Claire to the cleaner targeted punching of Baloyi and pegged it at 112-116, 113-115 and 114-115 to the game St. Claire.

Not taking anything away from the new champion, the win wasn’t clean cut nor completely convincing, but that’s boxing. St. Claire failed to win over the spectators and they stood up on mass and started leaving once the result was read. Few were interested in remaining to share the official handing over of the belts or to share St. Claire’s moment of glory. They were disappointed in the result, disappointed in Baloyi’s performance, disappointed that South Africa’s only credible world titleholder had lost his crown, without giving his best.

St .Claire, 39-3-2 (17), is a tough fighter who can maintain pressure throughout. He was well conditioned and certainly will be a formidable opponent for whoever he faces next. He does however have gaping holes in his defense and the fact that Baloyi, 32-3 (17), was out of sorts and unable to capitalize on them enough to convince the judges to vote his way is a worrying one. Everybody is entitled to an off night, but having one at the cost of two world titles is a heavy price to pay. The question also begs, was it an off night or has Baloyi’s ticket been punched?

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles1 week ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles1 week ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles1 week ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

Paro
Featured Articles5 days ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles5 days ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles2 days ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles3 days ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Mexico's-Francisco-Rodriguez-Jr-is-the-TSS-Fighter-of-the-Month-for-June
Featured Articles4 hours ago

Mexico’s Francisco Rodriguez Jr is the TSS Fighter of the Month for June

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles2 days ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Holly-Holm-Joshua-Edwards-and-Rene-Alvarado-Sparkle-on-the-Paul-Chavez-Undercard
Featured Articles2 days ago

Holly Holm, Joshua Edwards, and Rene Alvarado Sparkle on the Paul-Chavez Undercard

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles3 days ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles3 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles5 days ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Paro
Featured Articles5 days ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles1 week ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles1 week ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles1 week ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending