Mchunu will have to ‘adapt or die’
OOSTHUIZEN HOLDS ACES AHEAD OF BIG BOUT
South Africa’s multiple world champion Brian Mitchell has warned Thabiso Mchunu to adapt his style when he puts his SA cruiserweight title on the line against Tommy Oosthuizen at Emperor’s Palace tonight in a bout billed as “Repeat or Revenge”.
Oosthuizen will be defending his African Boxing Union title in this return match.
Mitchell said that if Mchunu doesn’t apply more pressure and get his workrate up, it will be Groundhog Day for the squat southpaw.
“We could be looking at the same fight as the first if Thabiso doesn’t change tack,” said Mitchell. “The key for Tommy is to do what he does best – throw flurries and run. He’s got good legs and knows how to win.”
Mitchell added that the cruiserweight division is very active with Oleksandr Usyk, the unified champion, arguably the No 1 pound-for-pound fighter.
“It’s a big world out there for the winner. There’s a lot to fight for, maybe even Kevin Lerena for the winner. The loser might have to get a day job,” he quipped.
Looking over the rest of the bill, he expects Thulani Mbenge to be in his toughest fight as he defends his IBO welterweight belt for the first time against Miguel Vasquez.
“The Mexican was excellent at lightweight and I expect he’ll be a good test at welterweight. Mbenge must keep knocking these guys over and stay undefeated.”
The Hall of Famer predicted that the SA middleweight title bout between champion Wade Groth and Walter Dlamini could steal the show.
Mitchell trains with Dlamini at Nick Ness’s gym most mornings and has seen first-hand how hard the challenger is working.
“He’s a war horse who can fight. Groth will have to be very sharp in what I see as a 50-50 fight.” – ANA