Local boxers lose title fights

Local boxers suffered setbacks when they lost important title fights recently.

Alan Toweel Boxing Gym’s Akani ‘Prime’ Phuzi and Rofhiwa Nemushungwa fought well in the Golden Gloves event at Emperors Palace but both lost on points.

Phuzi was defending his World Boxing Association (WBA) Pan African cruiserweight title against Johnny Muller and lost the first professional fight of his career. He had won all 12 of his previous fights leading up to this.

“It was a great learning fight for him,” said coach Toweel.

“He got dropped in the first round but managed to recover, however, the experience of Johnny Muller was what dominated the fight. He had no fear of Akani and used all his ring experience to outwork Akani.”

Toweel believes two important lessons were learned from the fight.

“At least Akani showed the heart to continue fighting despite being floored in the first round. Secondly, we have to work on improving Akani’s work rate in order to proceed to the next level. We are not disheartened and I can assure that Akani will only improve from this loss.”

It does, however, mean that Toweel and Phuzi must go back to the drawing board as they plan on taking the International Boxing Organisation world cruiserweight title within the next 18 months.

On the same night, Nemushungwa fought highly touted and undefeated junior bantamweight Ricardo Malajika for the vacant WBA Pan African Junior Bantamweight title.

Nemushungwa went into the fight with 12 wins, six losses and two draws in his career against an opponent who had won all six of his professional fights and five of them by knockout.

“It was a tough fight but the better man won on the night,” said Toweel.

“I will know within the next two weeks when our next fights are and there is an intention that Charing Cross Promotions will promote a Young Gladiators tournament at the Blairgowrie Recreation Centre towards the end of the first quarter, albeit without an audience just to keep the fighters busy.”