Another Russian awaits for welter-belter Kamanga

DRC-BORN and SA-based Paul Kamanga will have to use yet another former Soviet Union boxer in his bid to conquer the world in the talent-laden welterweight division.

Fresh from bludgeoning Kazakhstani native Roman Zhailauov into a fifth round stoppage defeat last month, Kamanga will be required to contend with yet another former Soviet boxer whose first name is also Roman in a clash at Emperors Palace on March 19.

This time the DRC native will be looking to inflict damage on Roman Balaev of Russia as he continues his rapid rise in the star-studded and lucrative welterweight division.

The welterweight division is teaming with talented boxers all jostling for supremacy in the wake of the retirement of pound for pound star Floyd Mayweather Jnr last September.

Mayweather’s WBA and WBC titles are yet to be claimed giving every fighter in the division a target to aim for to maximise his marketability in the historical weight class renowned for producing classic battles involving the likes of Thomas Hearns, Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Donald Curry, Oscar De La Hoya, Felix Trinidard and of course Mayweather and Manny Pacquaio.

While Kamanga is unbeaten in 18 fights with his promoter Rodney Berman having persuaded the WBA to give him a top 10 rating at the recent WBA Convention in Pamana, he might find Balaev unwilling to be used as a stepping stone in his bid to rise to stardom.

The tough Russian matched veteran Ali Funeka punch for punch, even leading in one of the scorecards when their IBO welterweight title clash had to be halted due to a cut in November 2014.

Having rested and relaxed after the Funeka misfortune, the Germany-based boxer will be hungry for success against the green yet rapidly improving DRC native.

Cautious of the worst decision meted out to his adopted compatriot Mateusz Masternak when he was ruled a loser against Johnny Muller, Balaev has in- sisted that one of the three judges should come from Germany to ensure a level playing field.

Berman had no problem with the request as he was also peeved by the diabolic outcome between Masternak and Muller.

But he believes that his protegee will prove once again how advanced he is as a fighter despite being only 22 years old.

”I believe Kamanga is the top 10 contender in the welterweight division and we will build him accordingly before unleashing him to the world,” Berman said.