DeeJay Kriel returns with a win after two-year hiatus

Kriel beat Eastern Cape’s Thembelani Ngxoshe on a majority points decision in an eight-round catchweight fight at the ESPN Africa Boxing tournament at The Galleria in Johannesburg. 

Showing a lot of rust, having last fought during the loss to Felix Alvarado in an IBF junior flyweight title fight in January 2021 in the USA, Kriel admitted it was not a smooth fight against Ngxoshe.

"I feel amazing. I feel great to be back. I'm not very happy with my performance but I do think I won. Tonight we had a helluva fight with Thembelani Ngxoshe, the man brought it tonight," Kriel told SABC Sport.

"People think he was throwing a lot [of punches], he was very busy, I just don't think he was landing as much. I was obviously landing the cleaner shots and I felt I won.

"But a very tough fight and I think it was good for the fans, but obviously I want to impress, I want to outbox someone – that is my goal. I think I was also looking too much for a knockout tonight, but I did what I had to do and we won."

Kriel, who had left South Africa to reside in the US before the loss to Alvarado, improved his record to 20 bouts with 17 wins, two losses, and a draw. 

He also reveals that he had to lose around 24 kilograms since he returned to the country in order to be ready to fight Ngxoshe.

"You know, I came here [after] two years [of being] laid off and I came to win, and that's what I did. Since I got back from America, I was weighing 74kgs, so I've lost about 22-24 kilos and now we're looking good again," he added.

"That's where I'm going to stay because I'm going to be active."