Philippines, 25 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Dapudong Mauls, Floors Buthelezi; Loses By Split Decision

PhilBoxing.com



Buthelezi's face was rearranged by Dapudong but he was declared champion.

Johannesburg, South Africa - Boxing fans who labeled Timothy Bradley's victory over boxing icon Manny Pacquiao as one of the greatest boxing robberies of all time have not seen the worst.

Last night, Nov. 10, in the posh Emperor Palace Hotel Casino Resort Pavilion, North Cotabato's Edrin Dapudong turned South African Gideon Buthelezi's face into a bloody mess and then floored the local fighter with his signature left hook in the ninth round but lost the championship bout for the IBO Junior Bantamweight Title by split decision.

It was a fight which almost everybody who saw it, including Buthelezi's cornermen whose faces were gloomy before the winner was announced, thought belonged to Dapudong as he pursued the South African all throughout the fight turning the local fighter's face into a red pulp as early as the first round.

In three or four instances that Buthelezi stood toe to toe with the North Cotabato fighter, Dapudong held his ground and pummeled the South African with powerful body punches.

There were at least two or three rounds when Buthelezi connected with weak punches which Dapudong merely shrugged off.

Going towards the last four rounds of the title fight, Dapudong convinced everybody that he was the better fighter when he connected with a well-timed left cross that sent Buthelezi to the canvas for a mandatory eight count.

But Dapudong's performance was not enough to convince all three judges to give the fight to him and award him with the world title.

It was only the British judge from London, Reg Thompson, who saw Dapudong the winner by a wide margin while the South African judge, Tony Nyangiwe, living up to South African boxing tradition, and American Michael Pernick from Miami, gave the fight to Buthelezi.

"How could your boy have lost that fight?", asked a member of the television crew which covered the event for South Africa's Super Sport TV.

He said even before the referee announced the winner, the members of the TV coverage team concluded that the IBO championship belt would be leaving South Africa.

It was not to be. What Buthelezi failed to do inside the ring, the two judges made up for it.

Dapudong was actually briefed before the fight of the perils of fighting in South Africa which is notorious for its hometown decision.

Trainer Aljo Jaro who was at his corner told Dapudong to go for a knockout because if the fight goes the distance, the referees will do their job.

It was exactly what happened.


Edrin Dapudong is shown here with an unmarked face shortly before the announcement of the winners.




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Round 12: Without Promoters there is no Boxing
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • Mexican female IBF Champion Irma Garcia to defend on April 5 in England
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • 14-0 super middleweight prospect Tommy ‘The Governor’ Hyde to headline April 18th at home in Cork, Ireland
    , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • MMA legend Jon Jones joins IBA Bare Knuckle as global ambassador
    , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • GOLDEN BOY SIGNS NEW EXCLUSIVE MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP EXTENSION WITH DAZN
    , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • “The Takeover” Teofimo Lopez Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • Boxlab Promotions Fighters Shine with Statement Victories in Orlando
    , Tue, 24 Mar 2026
  • Red Owl Boxing Presents Box Fest XVII on Friday, April 3rd at The Archer Music Hall in Allentown, PA and LIVE on DAZN
    , Tue, 24 Mar 2026
  • Boxing world fans waiting Isis Sio prompty recovery; Team Isis Sio statement
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 24 Mar 2026
  • National Master Nika Juris Nicolas rules National Youth & Schools Chess Championships
    , Tue, 24 Mar 2026
  • SD FIGHT NIGHT: FAMILY BUSINESS DOUBLE MAIN EVENTS SET AS JULIUS “JUJU” BALLO SQAURES OFF AGAINST ROMAN REYES AT FRONTWAVE ARENA ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2026
    , Mon, 23 Mar 2026
  • "I'M A MAN OF MY WORD": GEORGE LIDDARD COMPLETES MATCHROOM BRENTWOOD HALF MARATHON FOR CHARITY – HOURS AFTER DENNY WIN
    , Mon, 23 Mar 2026
  • Lester Martinez Wins WBC Interim World Super Middleweight Championship with Unanimous Decision over Immanuwel Aleem
    , Sun, 22 Mar 2026
  • IBF Pan Pacific champion Vince Paras set to face unbeaten OPBF champion Aoi Yokoyama in Kyrgyzstan
    , Sun, 22 Mar 2026
  • King James sets NBA all-time record for most games played
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 22 Mar 2026
  • Loaded boxing schedule
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 22 Mar 2026
  • WEIGHTS, IMAGES, RUNNING ORDER AND THE LAST WORDS AHEAD OF ADAMES VS. WILLIAMS IN ORLANDO
    , Sat, 21 Mar 2026
  • COPPER BOX ARENA FIGHT NIGHT: WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS LIDDARD AND DENNY FACE-OFF FOR FINAL TIME
    , Sat, 21 Mar 2026
  • Weights From ‘Martinez vs. Aleem’ Event from the NOS Event Center in San Bernardino and Broadcast live on ProBoxTV
    , Sat, 21 Mar 2026
  • Jordan Orozco Training Camp Notes
    , Sat, 21 Mar 2026
  • Towns vs. Bordin for PAT Belt; De Barbo, Nancholas, Samiei in Supporting Bouts at Brico Santig's Exciting Show in Pattaya Beach, Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 20 Mar 2026
  • YOENIS TELLEZ TRAINING CAMP QUOTES
    , Fri, 20 Mar 2026
  • Lebron James ties the most game played in NBA history
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 20 Mar 2026
  • Pichay supports GM Antonio's Australian chess circuit campaign
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 20 Mar 2026
  • LIDDARD-DENNY PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES IN FULL: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AHEAD OF SATURDAY'S COPPER BOX FIGHT NIGHT
    , Fri, 20 Mar 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.