Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Home-town hero Hawkey happy to fly the flag in Durban
THE city of Durban is renowned for its majestic coastline and “rad” surfing spots and awesome waves.
And with summer just around the corner, you can bet your wax and wet suit on these hotspot’s being packed to the rafters.
Tonight though, millions of Extreme Fighting Championship fans will bear witness to a wave of a much greater magnitude at the Sibaya arena.
It’s EFC 64! And the ‘Fight of the Night’ sees Durban hero, Wesley Hawkey, welcome England’s undefeated Jay Cucciniello to the EFC hexagon in a five-round Featherweight bout.
Hawkey, a legend of African Mixed Martial Arts, has experienced some remarkable moments since taking his first step into the MMA world almost ten years ago.
He would enthuse that his most memorable was when he fell 3 seconds and one round short of becoming the featherweight champion after dominating the current Bantamweight champion and EFC superstar Demarte Pena for four rounds at EFC 14.
Tonight, Hawkey fights for something bigger than himself ...
“My country’s pride comes first and it is very important to me,” he says. “South Africa is always looked down upon as a nation that fails to deliver the goods when it comes to sport, so I want to fly the flag high.”
His last two scalps were those of Sibusiso Mdoko and Brendon Katz, with both fights ending in knockouts.
A man who has played a vital role in establishing and continuing the legacy of Durban’s rich MMA culture. The ‘Young Assassin’ as Hawkey is more affectionately known, will have thousands of fans cheering him on within the Arena. He will be keen on subduing any and every threat.
And tonight, that threat is Cucciniello, 7-0 warrior representing the Ansgar Fighting League in Spain.
Cucciniello, unlike Hawkey, visits the Zulu kingdom without any sentiment of protecting and defending his home territory.
‘ The Mellow Fellow’ has built up a ruthless reputation for himself in the cages of Europe, finishing all of his opponents, 70 percent of them being beaten within the first round. And he intends on doing the same tonight. “Facing the hometown hero is nothing new to me, I’ve been in these situations before,” says Cucciniello, who was orphaned at the age of 11 before leaving school to join the armed forces at the tender age of 16.
The hardened Englishman’s move to the Army saw him fight in Iraq, and later move to Fuengirola in Spain, an experience that truly changed him.
“The things I’ve seen and done in the armed forces have strengthened me mentally 100 percent. I can take the fight anywhere I want,” he warns.
With him being a stranger to the EFC world, little is known about Cucciniello’s strengths, styles and tactical moves.
But for Hawkey, a Southpaw power-puncher who sports a record of 14-8, all that matters is his own preparation.
“Jay (Cucciniello) will come prepared, but my focus will be on my own camp and aspects that I can improve on.
“I don’t spend time on opponent’s videos and I have no interest in Jay’s past fights either,” Hawkey says brashly.
Cucciniello agrees that he will use his anonymity to his advantage, but notes that it is his “heart” that will be the deciding factor at the end of the night.
When asked if he would be keen on inviting the “Young Assassin” to his shores for a rematch, he simply replied “no, he is not relevant to me”.
Come tonight, the trash talk will be over and words will mean nothing …
Who will be riding the wave of glory and who will get the ultimate wipeout under the Durban sky?
Only time will tell.