Coxen is fighting ready

Elsburg-based fighter Pietie ‘Thunder’ Coxen is ready to make only his second appearance in the EFC hexagon for 2019, after an injury forced him to pull out of his previous fight.

He will be facing Dino ‘The Lion’ Bagattin, for the first time, in a welterweight bout on the main fight card of EFC 82 at Carnival City, this Saturday.

Coxen is set to step into the ring at 8pm and is feeling confident he will win his fight.

“I was scheduled to fight Bagattin at EFC 81 but due to the injury, which happened only 14 days ahead of the fight, I had to pull out,” Coxen explained.

“After that happened, Bagattin said I had pulled out of the fight because I was scared, which couldn’t be further from the truth.

“ I will take on anyone in my weight division.

“So with all his smack talk in mind I cannot wait to get into the hexagon and set things straight.

“He hits hard, but I think I hit harder.

“He has good ground technique, I think mine is better.

“It is definitely going to be a good fight and I really am looking forward to it.”

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Though Coxen, who doesn’t mind being the underdog, is raring to go, the fight will be bittersweet for him as it comes only a few months after the death of his close friend Roelof ‘Barries’ Barnard who died tragically after he was electrocuted at a substation in Stark Road, Estera.

“I am dedicating my fight to Barries, who really was a role model to me,” Coxen said.

“I looked up to him.

“He always knew just what to say to help me focus and get my head into the game.

“After every fight he’d call and talk to me about the fight and ask how it went., I miss him and his words.”

Coxen explained that he was not in a good head space ahead of the fight but visiting Barnard’s cross in Stark Road helped him feel better.

“I had a chat with him and I feel he is with me 100 per cent as I head into this fight,” said Coxen.

Training has been focused on stamina and fitness to allow Coxen time to heal from his injury.

“We did work around the injury. I am feeling good and ready and I’m not worried,” said Coxen.

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Ahead of the fight Coxen once again thanked his family, friends, coaches, fans, supporters and the Germiston community as a whole who have stuck with him.

“I am very lucky to have the supporters I have. They have gotten me through some difficult days,” said Coxen.

“I am especially grateful for my young fans because they push me to be the best I can be so that I am a good role model for them.”

Coxen is ready to bring the thunder to the EFC hexagon.

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Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za 

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