Emperors Palace, Gauteng – March 1, 2025
A night of electrifying boxing action unfolded at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg as Gold Gloves Boxing Promotions delivered an unforgettable event titled Palace Pandemonium. Headlining the evening was a historic IBO World Flyweight Title fight between Ricardo “Magic Man” Malajika and the reigning champion, Jackson Chauke. The action-packed fight card also featured the WBC Africa Super Welterweight Title clash and an intense undercard showcasing some of the best up-and-coming talent in the sport.
Malajika Becomes a Two-Division IBO Champion
In what can only be described as a masterclass in speed and power, Ricardo Malajika stunned the packed crowd by stopping veteran champion Jackson Chauke in just two rounds. Malajika, already the IBO Junior Bantamweight Champion, dropped down a weight division to challenge Chauke and made history by becoming the first South African boxer to hold two IBO titles simultaneously.
The much-anticipated bout saw Chauke, an experienced Olympian and former flyweight king, struggle to keep up with Malajika’s blistering hand speed. After a cautious first round, Malajika unleashed a brutal combination in the second round that sent Chauke crashing to the canvas. Though he managed to beat the count, Malajika wasted no time, delivering another sharp flurry that left Chauke flat on his back. His trainer, Damien Durandt, had seen enough and threw in the towel at the 2:01 mark of the second round.
The victory was a moment of redemption and triumph for Malajika, who had boldly predicted he would be the first fighter to stop Chauke inside the distance. Post-fight, Malajika expressed gratitude to his team, stating, “I warned everyone that I would break him down with my jab, and I did exactly that.” As for Chauke, the former champion admitted he did not see the punches coming, hinting at a possible move up in weight.
Brandon Thysse Wins WBC Africa Super Welterweight Title
In the co-main event, Brandon “Fast Guns” Thysse emerged victorious over Namibia’s Charles Shinima in a tough 10-round battle to claim the vacant WBC Africa Super Welterweight Title. While the fight lacked fluid exchanges, it made up for it in intensity. Referee Eric Khoza was forced to intervene multiple times as the two fighters engaged in relentless clinches and grappling.
Despite the scrappy nature of the contest, Thysse landed the cleaner shots and was ultimately awarded the victory by majority decision (97-93, 96-94, 95-95). This win marks a significant milestone in Thysse’s career as he continues to climb the ranks in the highly competitive super welterweight division.
Light Heavyweight Eliminator: Thysse and Head to Face Off in May
The night also featured a four-man light heavyweight eliminator tournament, with the winners advancing to fight for the South African title in May. Bryan Thysse put on a solid performance to edge past Tuvia Wewege in a thrilling contest. Both fighters had their moments, but Thysse’s sharper boxing and ability to control the exchanges earned him a split decision victory.
In the second eliminator, Michael Head triumphed over Bonginkosi Nhlapo in another hard-fought battle. Nhlapo started strong with crisp jabs, but Head’s relentless pressure turned the tide. The fight went the full eight rounds, with Head securing a split decision victory. The stage is now set for a Thysse vs. Head showdown for the national title on May 31, with a substantial R250,000 purse on the line.
Tyla Promnick Shines in Strawweight Showdown
The opening bout of the evening saw rising star Tyla Promnick deliver a dominant performance against debutant Emma Mohono in a four-round strawweight contest. Promnick, making only her second professional appearance, displayed impressive composure and technical prowess. She controlled the fight from the opening bell, utilizing her southpaw jab effectively to push Mohono back.
In the third round, Promnick turned up the pressure, backing Mohono into the neutral corner before unleashing a relentless barrage of punches. The referee stepped in at 1:13 of the round to halt the contest, giving Promnick her second consecutive stoppage victory.
A Night to Remember
Palace Pandemonium lived up to its name, delivering high-octane boxing action and memorable moments. Malajika’s historic victory headlines a night that also saw Thysse’s triumph, a thrilling light heavyweight eliminator, and a promising display from Promnick. With future title fights now on the horizon, South African boxing fans have much to look forward to in the coming months.
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