Extreme fighter from Bay ready for major bout
A PORT Elizabeth fighter will be lacing up his gloves today to put months of hard work and training to the test when he steps into the ring at Africa’s biggest mixed martial arts showcase.
Port Elizabeth Submission Fighting Academy’s Cameron Pritchard, 25, is the only fighter from the Eastern Cape active in the Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) and will be facing one of his toughest challenges to date when he squares up against Congolese fighter Pupanga Tresor, 32, at EFC 39 at the Grand West casino in Cape Town.
“You would think fighting would become easier the more you do it, but every event and every opponent presents its own set of challenges.
“Every fight comes with enormous pressure and you never want to lose or let anyone down,” the Bay fighter said.
Pritchard made his EFC debut in December when he beat Johannesburg fighter Pietie Coxen by subduing him with an arm-triangle choke three minutes into the first round.
“I was hoping to return to EFC earlier, but the opportunity has finally presented itself and I feel ready. My preparation has gone well and I cannot wait to test myself against Tresor.”
However, Pritchard knows his opponent will be no pushover, as the two fighters have different strengths.
Tresor, a respected kick-boxer, lost his first two EFC fights, but came back with a bang when he knocked out his last opponent 12 seconds into the first round.
Pritchard, an experienced grappler, might focus more on grounding the fight where he can try for a submission.
Pritchard’s trainer, mixed martial artist Chris Bright, believes his fighter is the best grappler at EFC, but said he could exchange punches with the best the event had to offer.
Added to the pressure of the bright lights and the big stage, Pritchard also feels the pressure from his hometown fans, being the only fighter from Port Elizabeth fighting at this level.
“I want to show people that Port Elizabeth is not just a small town. I want people to sit up and take note of fighters from the Bay,” Pritchard said.