The mixed martial arts fight, which will see the two facing one another for the second time, will take place at Carnival City.
With Barend taking honours in the pair’s last showdown, Tumisang’s trainer JP ‘Tinkerbell’ Kruger, of House of Tinkerbell in Springs, says this is a grudge match for Madiba to set things right from his amateur career, one he is determined not to lose.
Tumisang says that moral is high for both fighters who are coming off wins which means that they will both be confident of taking victory.
He believes that standing he is the superior fighter but believes that, coming from the CIT Camp, Barend will have put in a lot of time perfecting his wrestling.
“That’s okay though,” he says adding, “I have also done a lot of wrestling training to prepare for anything he brings and I’m determined to implement my training and the game plan I have to ensure I don’t lose to him again.”
While he concedes that their last fight resulted in a loss for him, Tumisang believes that the result of that fight has no bearing on this one.
“All that matters is the preparation that I have been putting in.
“I feel I have improved so much as an athlete, that I can win this fight and that the result will fall my way.
“From what I’ve seen of him, he is incredibly strong but I have the technique to counter that.”
JP believes that this is Tumisang’s fight to win.
“This is going to be an exciting fight. Tumi is coming out.
“It could be anyone, we are going for the title,” JP says.
He adds: “It could have been the Queen herself, this boy is hunting the title.”
As for the results, Tumisang says he is going into the hexagon with one mentality, “as the book of Romans 8:28 says, all things work out for the good for those that love the Lord,” he says.
“I’m just going to put my preparation to the test.
“What is meant to be will be and one of us will come out the winner.”
Tumisang says that he is grateful to all his teammates, trainers and management team for their support and encouragement.
“This club is made up of professionals but I am most inspired by the guy who comes in for the first time and wants to train, pushing himself to be his best.
“Once you are at the top you need to remember how you got there and what keeps you there, and these are the people that inspire me to keep training and to always strive to be my best.”
He adds that he is particularly thankful to Oom Louis (Louw) at Medicross for sorting out his knee.
“I was struggling with the knee and he managed to get it from 30% to almost 100% function when I was doubtful of this fight.
“Now, with only two weeks to go, he has helped get me back into shape and confident of the win.”
Tumisang’s manager, James Read of XKT Pro League concludes saying: “XKT is coming for the titles.
“We are bringing the belts to Springs and Tumi is one the road to owning one of those belts.”
