Fuzile ready to leave comfort zone
Star poised for maiden fight outside home
Fighting outside East London for the first time will not put any pressure whatsoever on Azinga “Golden Boy” Fuzile.
Instead, the 21-year-old boxing sensation from Duncan Village welcomes it as a perfect opportunity not only to build support in Johannesburg but also to get the experience of fighting in front of a different audience.
All his eight fights – all wins – have taken place at the Orient Theatre and Mdantsane Indoor Centre where Fuzile won the SA, WBC Youth and IBF Continental featherweight belts.
His achievements caught the attention of renowned promoter Rodney Berman whose Golden Gloves Promotions have included him in the Featherweight Super Four tournament.
The two-legged series begins on October 21, with the finals taking place in February.
The winner of the series will walk away with R500 000.
Fuzile, who has aspirations of winning lucrative belts, has to get out of his comfort zone and showcase his skills to the larger boxing community before he can get the chance of facing the division’s big boys around the globe.
“I have been in this situation before, having to fight outside South Africa, while in the amateurs,” said Fuzile, who will face Tshifhiwa Munyai.
“I am coming there [Gauteng] to surprise lots of people. I am in a physical and mental stage where I can face him [Munyai] tomorrow,” he said.
“Tshifhiwa must not fool himself and think it will be a walk in the park fighting me just because he has more professional fights than me.”
Fuzile’s trainer Mzamo “Chief ” Njekanye said: “We are super ready. As much as Tshifhiwa has more experience than Azinga, be warned that Azinga has the experience to defeat more experienced opponents.”
Fuzile and the other contestants in the Super Four – Munyai, Simpiwe Vetyeka and Lerato Dlamini – will each be paid a whopping R175 000 per 10rounder.