By Mezuli Zifo
Daily Dispatch, South Africa
East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa – Nkosinathi Joyi ‘s career all but ended when Filipino journeyman Rey Loreto needed just 106 seconds to destroy him in front of his supporters just a stones’ throw away from his NU 1 home at the Mdantsane Indoor Centre yesterday.
The hall was plunged into silence when Loreto dropped Joyi hard with a similar left hook he had used to knock him out in three rounds in Monte Carlo, Monaco in February last year.
Loreto appeared fresh while Joyi was seemingly befuddled obviously still cowed by the power of the otherwise average Filipino.
When he tried to open up, Loreto landed the left and Joyi went down, obviously hurt. He managed to beat the count but Loreto charged at him and and landed an uppercut to bundle him onto the ropes where referee Tony Nyangiwe saved him from further punishment.
Long after the bout had been stopped, the spectators remained in their seats still shocked beyond belief with how Joyi’s world-class career had exploded on his face.
When a sheepish looking Joyi made his exit, the scene resembled a funeral procession and overwhelmed by the occasion a few loyal spectators clapped their hands to acknowledge a career that never reciprocated the obvious talent of the boxer.
Fight promoter Siphatho Handi was too distraught to speak after delving deep in his pocket to try to resurrect Joyi’s career. Handi had reportedly paid close to $45000 (over R530000) to entice Loreto to give Joyi the rematch. Some questioned the wisdom of spending so much on a 31-year-old who is obviously on the downslide.
(Photo caption: QUICK ENDING: Rey Loreto stands over challenger Nkosinathi Joyi who he beat on a stoppage in the first round of their title fight in Mdantsane yesterday Picture: MARK ANDREWS)
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