AIR OF MYSTERY HAS MACH ON GUARD
RISING Geelong boxing star TL Mach says it is more exciting to enter the ring and not know much about his opponent, as he prepares to take on an “unknown” prospect.
Mach will fight Gerry Zapantis on November 22 at the Melbourne Pavilion, with a top-5 super bantamweight ranking on the line for the orthodox boxer.
With Zapantis currently unranked and inactive in the past 12 months, Mach said it added a layer of intrigue to the fight since he did not know much about his opponent.
“It’s definitely making the lead-up more exciting, I don’t know much about him but with him being a southpaw I know I’ll have to fight him a bit differently to an orthodox,” he said. “He hasn’t fought much so there’s no real fights I can watch and study … I need to be careful that I don’t walk into him with him being a southpaw.”
Zapantis’ last fight came against former NSW super-featherweight champion Ben Dencio, who was also a two-time Australian title challenger, with Zapantis suffering a knockout loss in the 2020 fight.
Mach said the lead into a fight night was exciting any time, and he was eager for the challenge.
“I’m pretty pumped up to be in another fight, training has been really good so far,” he said. “My last couple of fights have been against international boxers, so with my opponent this time being Australian there’s a bit more in it.
“Hopefully a win will get me into that top 3 in Australia’s ranking, but definitely a top 5 is there if I win. It’s exciting to be moving up the rankings a bit, so hopefully I’ll get a good fight and prove myself as a top fighter.”
Tickets are available with Mach’s manager Jack Light on 0426 269 299.