Red-hot Thabiso Mchunu in world title bid

“Any of the titles will do,” said the boxer who is known as The Rock.

“It doesn’t matter whether it’s for the WBC, the WBA, the IBF or the WBO title. I’m just raring to go for a shot at one of the champions – and I’m confident I can secure the title for South Africa.”

Mchunu is now rated among the top 10 cruiserweights by three of the four top-recognised organisations, climbing as high as the number two challenger for the WBC title held by Krzystof Wlodarczyk.

But in champions Wlodarczyk, Marco Huck, Dennis Lebeder and Yoen Pablo Hernandez, the eager Mchunu would find himself facing an opponent in a different class to the game but largely outclassed 36th-ranked Wilson.

The judges ruled in favour of Mchunu by 99-90, 98-91 and 96-93 margins against Wilson in a fight that seemed all tied up after the iron-tough South African had built up an unassailable points advantage in the opening five rounds.

“Look, not even a mark to show for it,” said Mchunu afterwards as he pointed to his unblemished face.

He even had a point deducted in the final round for holding, but it made little difference to the outcome as Mchunu completed what was a clinical success.

It was his seventh successive victory and extended his career record to 17 wins and only one defeat.

Mchunu has not lost a fight since he suffered a tko loss against Zack Mwekassa exactly three years ago, since going from strength to strength after annihilating all opposition in Golden Gloves’ “Super Eight” tournament at Emperors Palace almost two years ago and outclassing former heavyweight contender “Fast Eddie” Chambers among his victories in America.

And the KwaZulu-Natal-born fighter said he had made the right move to continue his career in the United States.

“This is where it is all happening,” he said after beating Wilson. “I’ve had three fights in the space of 11 months or so.

“If you provide the goods, you get recognised. In South Africa even the top fighters sometimes struggle to be appreciated and are frustrated by having to sit on the sidelines — and getting action that goes no further than the gym.”

– Sapa