Fuzile’s Super series final still much in the balance for now
THE possibility of Duncan Village boxing star Azinga Fuzile facing Lerato Dlamini in the final of the Featherweight Super Series (S4) remains uncertain despite the two boxers winning their clashes last weekend.
Fuzile beat Namibian Immanuel Andeleki by a first round knockout at Orient Theatre, while Dlamini made heavy weather in beating Sydney Maluleke by split decision at Emperors Palace on the same day.
The two boxers had qualified to contest for the final after beating Tshifiwa Munyai and Simpiwe Vetyeka respectively in October last year.
By winning their bouts, they were expected to finally clear the path for their meeting in the ring.
This even though Fuzile’s bout was blighted by his failure to make the featherweight division when he reportedly came in two kilograms overweight.
Johannesburg promoter Rodney Berman who initiated the S4 concept said a decision to match the two was still up the air.
Berman admitted that his relationship with the Fuzile camp has become frosty since the S4 preliminary rounds.
This after Berman said he would not organise the fight after Fuzile’s medical results for MRI test came back positive.
Berman took plenty of flak for his decision with accusations that he was looking clash.
Yesterday, Berman said he was perturbed by the reports from Fuzile’s camp and that he would need an apology for what the team posted on social media.
“To be honest with you, posts associated with Fuzile’s promoter assassinated my character and as such we first need to clear the air about that,” he said.
“We cannot forget what happened without first talking about it.”
Berman also added that he was concerned about Fuzile’s reported weight problems.
“I also need clarity on whether Fuzile is still a featherweight after he was overweight in his fight.”
But Fuzile’s promoter Teris Ntutu dismissed suggestions that the fight would be impossible to organise due the boxer’s overweight.
“We will sit down and assess the situation,” he said.
“We cannot say Azinga will not be able to make the featherweight as yet until we have sat down and interrogate the situation.”
Ntutu said the camp was still interested to pursue the clash against Dlamini but was doubtful if it will eventually happened.
The controversial outcome of the Dlamini fight against Maluleke has also cast doubts on whether it will worth the risk.
“We are also concerned that Azinga may need a knockout to win against Dlamini,” he added.
“I do not think he would for excuses to avoid the get a decision
Fuzile is unbeaten in 10 bouts having won his last three outings by impressive stoppages. Dlamini’s struggle against Maluleke who was soundly beaten by Fuzile will make the Duncan Village star a heavy favourite if the fight eventually get organised. But Dlamini’s trainer Colin Nathan said his charge was not scared to face Fuzile. if the fight goes the distance.”