Linden’s Akani Phuzi becomes pan-African cruiserweight champion after fight in Blairgowrie
LINDEN – Local boxer proves the better in cruiserweight title fight.
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Boxers of Alan Toweel Boxing Gym proved to be an unstoppable force at the Young Gladiators Part Seven event at Blairgowrie Recreation Centre.
One boxer from each of the seven fights is a member of the club in Linden, and five of them won.
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The main fight on 2 September saw the club’s Akani ‘Prime’ Phuzi fight Youssof Mwanza of the Democratic Republic of the Congo for the vacant World Boxing Association pan-African cruiserweight title.
Phuzi makes his big entrance @randburg_sun pic.twitter.com/lbQBhMp14W
— Nicholas Zaal (@NicholasZaal) September 2, 2018
Before this, there were five undercard fights and a main supporting bout, which the club’s Sikho Nqothole won with a first-round knockout against Muziwenkosi Ndwandwe.
The crowd is singing Nqothole's praise https://t.co/pzDuvsNh4j
— Nicholas Zaal (@NicholasZaal) September 2, 2018
Akani 'Prime' Phuzi of Alan Toweel Boxing Gym in Linden is about to fight Youssof Mwanda at the Young Gladiators Part Seven in Blairgowrie for the vacant WBA pan-Africa cruiserweight title. There is one undercard fight left before the main fight. @randburg_sun pic.twitter.com/2hx839FGKE
— Nicholas Zaal (@NicholasZaal) September 2, 2018
Phuzi weighed in slightly more (90,55kg) than Mwanza (88,50kg) but they both started tentatively, assessing each other’s strengths and weaknesses for the first few rounds.
There was a strong support base for Mwanza, but stronger still for Phuzi, the local fighter.
Phuzi had only fought five fights since he started his professional career in June. He won them all and scored three knockouts.
Mwanza was more experienced, with eight wins, one draw and two losses.
Phuzi attacked more in the early rounds and scored some hits.
Three rounds in and Phuzi has scored more hits than Mwanda @randburg_sun pic.twitter.com/AhGGnJEwLi
— Nicholas Zaal (@NicholasZaal) September 2, 2018
In the fourth round, his strong left jab surprised Mwanza and put him on the floor.
The crowd roared and began singing the South African national anthem in response.
Phuzi scored some good hits after the blow, but when Mwanza returned to his senses he came back with a vengeance.
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With black eyes and bloodied pants (the blood came from his nose), Mwanza focused on quick counters before taking momentum in the sixth round.
His punches connected well and he dodged almost everything Phuzi threw at him.
In the 10th round, Mwanza pinned Phuzi in the corner and landed some blows to the body.
This didn’t happen again as Phuzi’s strikes wore Mwanza down afterwards and, when a mighty uppercut smashed into Mwanza’s chin – leaving the crowd gasping and cheering – Mwanza never came back.
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The final rounds saw Mwanza muster all his energy to defend, and possibly stay on his feet.
When the final bell sounded Phuzi was named the winner on points by 118 to 109.
“The fight went how we expected it to go,” he said afterwards.
“I used my movement and good defence with a counter-punch.”
He added that he would work on his fitness and attacking set in training before any title defence fights.
Phuzi’s trainer, Alan Toweel said their gameplan based on movement and counters worked perfectly.
“[Phuzi] moved like a ballerina even for his size, and people like to see strong boxers move like that,” he said.
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ALSO READ: Akani ‘Prime’ Phuzi to fight for Pan Africa Cruiserweight title in Blairgowrie