Took South African Cassius Baloyi more than a few candles to get it together - but then, better late than never - and a sudden stanza eleven turnaround was the clincher.

The prize up for grabs was the IBF s/featherweight bauble - Manuel Medina the favorite at number one spot, Baloyi a few rungs below at numero seven - and then the intangibles - Medina at age 35 and a rap sheet of 80 prior kept appointments, as in 66-14, 31 KOs - Baloyi no kid at 31, but sporting the younger body and less wear and tear, at 31-2, 16 whacks.

Over the front side it was the busier Medina with a constant flailing offense - short on power but far the busier of the two - and Baloyi seemingly unable to get off.

Was stanza seven that Baloyi seemingly has a wake up call - follows with a strong stanza eight and the plot thickens - thoughts here was the South African  finally realizes a full court press would be the key to success.

Still, the Tijuana veteran manages a busy round nine for his final hurrah - come stanza eleven it’s a Baloyi right hand capping a flurry for the first knockdown - then a big left-hook and down again goes Medina - then the coup de grace another left hook and Medina is finis - time 2:19.

Rest of the story:  Scanning the entire s/featherweight perimeter, realistically the domain remains in chronological order the property of the Barrero, Barrios, Mosquera, Pacquiao … and maybe a few others before the now IBF champion Baloyi.

                              Medina ~ to be fair, I had never before seen him in action - am sure his toughness was the major key while campaigning at bantamweight. Has the past trophies to back up the credibility. Problem is, today at age 35 and the toll taken after a now 81 appointments - in a demanding weight class environment - it is clearly time to call it a career.
                             Baloyi ~ first look - the good news is strength and size - appears he can punch a bit - long shot against the above mentioned field - must use the birth given advantages - the jab and more movement while going counter punch with bad intentions.

                            Referee Earl Brown ~ Passing grades - nice to see the cautions were not followed by point deductions. Once able to understand inadvertent from intentional he could be a rising star when aligned with the today lunatic fringe.

GEL -