Fuzile set for his Russian roulette
After setting the tongues wagging with a sensational fourth round knockout of former IBF world champion Malcolm Klassen last month, Duncan Village golden boy Azinga Fuzile will return to the ring on December 2.
Russian Mark Urvanov has been given the difficult task of being Fuzile’s opponent when they will clash for the IBF Intercontinental junior-lightweight title.
Rated ninth for the IBF crown held by Tevin Farmer, Fuzile is marching towards a world title shot with the Russian not expected to offer a stumbling block to him.
However, Urvanov, who has lost twice and drawn once in 17 bouts, may give Fuzile quality rounds as he has never been stopped before.
“He was the only opponent willing to face Azinga so we took him,” said Fuzile’s promotion Rumble Africa Promotions (RAP).
Managed and trained by Colin Nathan, who is also assisting in securing opponents for the unbeaten star, Fuzile will be fighting under the new trainer for the second time after leaving his long-time mentor Mzamo Njekanye in a well-publicised split.
Nathan had revealed that he wants to unleash his star to the world stage within a year and getting him to face Urvanov is in line with such plans.
However, scrutinising the Russian’s fight record reveals that one of his two losses was suffered at the hands of compatriot Mikhail Alexeev in his professional debut.
Alexeev is one of the Russian prospects who had a bead on Klassen to better their fight records.
Like Fuzile, Urvanov is 22 years old but he is behind in development compared to the Duncan Village star.
Interestingly the country does not often import opponents from Russia with Urvanov probably being the first to come to these shores in a long time.
The show will also feature other mesmerising bouts which should make it the most highly anticipated of all three on offer in December.
Bouts such as Mfusi Maxhayi against Lerato Dlamini, the on and off Xolisa Magusha against Siphamandla Baleni, the graduation of prospect Luyanda Ntwanambi to a champion when he vies for the WBO Africa youth title, and Ayabonga Sonjica against Luthando Mbumbulwana will put the show head and shoulders above the rest. “We will be giving our fans an early Christmas present with this show as one can see that it is loaded with explosive bouts,” said RAP coordinator Mfesi Nyathela.