Joshua in the rumble zone
HEAVYWEIGHT Joshua ‘Red Beast’ Pretorius is like a horse with blinkers on at the moment.
His sole focus is on his WBA Pan African heavyweight title fight against former stablemate Luke Sutherland.
The two brawlers will lock horns at the Umfolozi Casino Resort in Empangeni on Sunday, 5 April in a 12-round thriller.
The boxing feast, promoted by Tono Promotions, will see six bouts taking place before Sutherland and Pretorius take to the ring.
‘Josh has been sweating it out in a gruelling training camp and a lot of time out on the road,’ said coach Corrie Pretorius.
‘Fitness is paramount in a 12 round humdinger. Josh has had to go eight rounds three times in his career, but a 12-rounder is a big challenge for any fighter.
‘So, our training regime is focusing on peak fitness. We are not going to headhunt and waste energy, but instead be prepared to put in solid work in every round as part of a strategy to wear out Sutherland and rack up the points. A knockout will just be a bonus.
‘We know Luke will be no pushover and will certainly bring it on. We will be prepped, ready and waiting.’
The Beast has been putting in some mental training as well and has reached his targeted weight.
After loads of sparring sessions, he is amped to take the fight to Sutherland.
‘Our game plan is to use Josh’s superior strength to break down Luke in the first half of the fight, using the superior fitness, power and speed that Josh possesses.
‘But at the end of the day, it will boil down to who wants it most,’ said Corrie.
Action gets under way from 2pm, with tickets costing R150 (general) and R300 (VIP) at Computicket.
)LJKW FDUG
Lightweight - Smiso Buthelezi (KZN) vs Lindokuhle Dlamini (Gauteng) over four rounds.
Bantamweight Mduduzi Mzimela (KZN) vs Sanele Maduna (KZN) over four rounds.
Junior-welterweight - Sbonelo Ndzimande (KZN) vs Ntethelelo Nkosi (Gauteng) over four rounds.
Bantamweight Sboniso Gonya (KZN) vs Cleutus Mbhele (Gauteng) over eight rounds.
Junior-bantamweight Mnqobi Mkhize (KZN) vs Nkosikhona Speelam (Eastern Cape) over 10 rounds.
Heavyweight (SA and WBA Pan African title fight) - Joshua Pretorius (KZN) vs Luke Sutherland (Gauteng) over 12 rounds.
WBA Pan African middleweight title fight - Nkululeko Mhlongo (KZN) vs Augustine Matata (Gauteng) over 12 rounds.