Publications
Partners
World Boxing Association (WBA) Pan-African cruiserweight champion Akani Phuzi is not letting his Friday night win get to his head, instead he is focused on taking his game to the next level.
Phuzi won via a unanimous points decision against his Nigerian foe Afinni Abiodun over 12 rounds at Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom in the north of Durban.
The fight was one of the headliners at the 11th Africa Boxing Series tournament, a partnership between Fox Sports Africa and Sun International.
The fights are staged in different southern African countries and this was the second tournament at this venue.
Phuzi’s victory ensured that his unblemished record stayed intact, with seven wins from seven outings. He said this win made him decide to train even harder so that he could challenge for the world cruiserweight diadem.
“I won’t say I am ready, but my management has to train me for it,” he said after his win.
“If they want me to fight for the world title, they will have to train me even harder, and I am prepared to work even harder.”
Phuzi said that, with a few more months of training, he might be ready to challenge for the world title.
He said the fight on Friday night was a tough one, having had to go toe-to-toe with an opponent who came into the fight without a previous loss.
Abiodun’s record now reads six wins, one draw and one loss.
The South African pugilist said having to fight with leg pain limited his movements in the ring.
“Fighting someone who can take a punch is another way of learning. I was [in] pain because my legs were cramping from round six and I couldn’t even move enough, but it was a good fight.”
Phuzi will fight again in March, but he is not yet aware who his next opponent will be.
An earlier bout on the night saw Ayanda Nkosi retain his WBA Pan-African lightweight title against Botswana’s Steven Bagwasi via a unanimous decision.
Nkosi said he expected a tough fight because Bagwasi was faster than him, but he was surprised during the match that Bagwasi was not as fast as he expected.
“What surprised me was that he was not as fast as I know him to be,” observed a tired Nkosi.
“I managed to deal with his speed quite well.”
He said his manager, Vusi Malinga, promised him a WBA international fight.
“This was the opportunity to win the fight because I want to fight for a WBA international title next year.
Fighting an undefeated opponent was what motivated Nkosi to win.
“It always excites me to fight someone who has not lost before because I have lost once in my career and I know how it feels. I have since vowed to inflict the same pain whenever I come up against someone who has not lost before.”
Bagwasi’s record now reads four wins and one loss, thanks to Nkosi.
Other fight results:
Rirothe Randima (South Africa) lost to Moabi Ngaka (Botswana); Kiabua Mafisi (South Africa) lost to Kagiso Bagwasi (Botswana); Wilhelm Nebe (South Africa) lost to Gilson Jeputers (Malawi); Paul Mangxilana (South Africa) lost to Kutlwano Ogaketse (Botswana); and John Bopape (South Africa) beat Anthony Jarmann (Namibia)
