Tsiko takes another title
Lim boxer goes 12 rounds in the ring to win the title by judges' decision
LIMPOPO – Limpopo boxer, Tsiko Mulovhedzi has won the International Boxing Federation (IBF) Intercontinental Welterweight title.
Mulovhedzi faced off against Dario Socci from Germany in a closely contested match in Bloemfontein on Friday.
After the fight, Mulovhedzi said Socci was one of the toughest opponents he ever had to face.
“We both had cuts above our eyes after our bouts. This made it difficult and I had to constantly wipe the blood from my eyes in order to see my opponent. I applied all the fighting tactics I knew to put him down but Socci remained standing despite my efforts. We went blow for blow for 12 rounds and the victor had to be determined by judges’ decision,” Mulovhedzi said.
He now has his sights set on the IBF World Title and Mulovhedzi said winning the IBF welterweight title will help his late father’s spirit rest in peace.
“I am happy to have fulfilled my father’s wish by lifting the IBF title. Hopefully this victory will help his spirit rest in peace,” he said.
One of Mulovhedzi’s concerns is that he lost his International Boxing Organisation (IBO) welterweight championship belt which he won last year against Jesus Gurrola of Mexico. “I will lose the title due to not fighting for a long time. My promoter, Ayanda Matiti’s contract with me is going to end in August and I won’t renew it. I look forward to working with Lovemore Ndou as my promoter,” he said.
“With Matiti, I fight once per year and we used to have verbal disagreements. People were asking me why I was not fighting. Let me tell you, if Ayanda Matiti says ‘no’, he won’t change his mind. When I defeated Socci, I know that some people expected me to lose the fight because it has been such a long time since my last fight. However, I proved them wrong. This is my time, I’m born to fight.”
About being stripped of the IBO title, Mulovhedzi assured his fans that he will challenge and reclaim it soon.
