Linden boxer, Akani ‘Prime’ Phuzi defends cruiserweight title

Akani ‘Prime’ Phuzi says no one will take the pan-African cruiserweight title away from him.

The boxer of Alan Toweel Boxing Gym in Linden successfully defended his World Boxing Association Pan-African Cruiserweight title when he beat Nigerian Afinni ‘Infinity Finito’ Abiodun on points.

The fight was a gruelling one, held at Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom in KwaZulu-Natal on 23 November.

It was Phuzi’s seventh win out of seven fights, and while the points showed he won by some margin, Phuzi and his trainer described the fight as tough.

“[Abiodun] was a good boxer, taking the punches. He was tough,” said Phuzi.

Coach Toweel said Phuzi had laid serious body blows on Abiodun that would have put other boxers out of the fight, but the Nigerian kept coming.

“We planned to break [Abiodun] down over time but he had a strong right hand…. Akani showed an ability to adjust to the fight and had to out-box him and use his speed.”

Toweel added that with Phuzi being undefeated and having three knockouts to his name, the few 12-rounders he could fight in were a good experience for the youngster.

“Akani’s hard work and dedication has paid physical dividends. His technique has improved and he has quicker, more accurate and cleaner punches. He has shown patience in his boxing.”

Toweel said Phuzi had a great future lined up for him if he continued learning and improving. The boxer has fought five fights in one year, a rare feat in today’s boxing world.

Now he will rest for a month or two with no boxing training or fights at all.

Plans are being made for a fight for Phuzi in March next year at the Blairgowrie Recreation Centre.

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