Motivated by the recent birth of his daughter, Akani ‘Prime’ Phuzi says he is poised for redemption in his cruiserweight Africa Boxing 15 bout against Lebo Mashitoa on March 24.
Phuzi is looking to reignite his boxing career after two recent back-to-back defeats, the only losses of his professional career, as he and Mashitoa contest the co-main bout over 10 rounds in Johannesburg.
With 11 straight wins under his belt, the 27-year-old was on track to become a world champion until he suffered the first defeat of his career in December of 2020, losing via unanimous decision over 10 rounds to Johnny Muller.
Not deterred by his first loss, Phuzi jumped back into the ring for a rematch with Muller six months later, but again he was on the wrong end of a split decision loss, which he insists was far from correct.
‘Prime’ told ESPN that those were some of the darkest days of his life, after suffering a second consecutive loss: “I won’t lie, it was very tough losing my last two fights, even though I thought the last fight I won.
“I’ve lost before when I was an amateur, but it wasn’t like losing these last two fights. It was very, very tough.
“But losing those fights motivates me. It makes me hungry for success. I learnt a lot from those losses. I learnt that consistency is needed in a fight, and a higher work rate. I also learnt in those losses that I could take a punch.”
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Mashitoa and Phuzi will contest the Cruiserweight co-main card on March 24, live on ESPN.
One of the biggest changes Phuzi made to his boxing career was the decision to leave world-renowned trainer Alan Toweel to join Damien Durandt.
Phuzi explained: “After the loss I also changed gyms. I am with trainer Damien Durandt now and that has changed a lot in me.
“My training is way different now, my fight preparation is also different. I used to train five days a week and once each day. Now I train seven days a week and twice each day during the week.
“I needed to be in a new environment and out of my comfort zone. I didn’t leave Allan with any bad blood or anything. I just needed to challenge myself on a new level.”
Looking ahead to his upcoming fight against Mashitoa on Thursday, Phuzi feels he is too big, too strong, and more motivated than his opponent.
“I am feeling very positive and confident ahead of the fight, more than I have been in the past,” said Phuzi.
“I think Lebo is a good boxer, but just not good enough for cruiserweight. He is too small. He doesn’t have enough power for cruiserweight.
“I am bigger than Lebo, more experienced than him and stronger. I am going to knock him out.
“Lastly, I just had a baby girl and ever since she arrived, I have been striving for success. I am working extra hard to make sure she doesn’t lack for anything in life. And to give her everything I must knock Lebo out.”
Mashitoa, whose trainer Lionel Hunter passed away in 2020, is now under the guidance of former South African heavyweight Anton Nel and will be no walkover.
He will also be determined to get a victory after suffering defeat in his last trip to the ring, losing via a TKO in round two against Luvuyo Sizani in March 2021.
The winner of this bout could well be the top challenger for the vacant South African cruiserweight title. The four main fighters in contention are Johnny Muller, Mashitoa, Phuzi and Thomas Oosthuizen.
ESPN Africa Boxing 15 – Fight Card
Main card
– Main event: IBF Africa Junior Women’s Welterweight Title, 10 rounds: Hedda Wolmarans (6W-0L-0D) v Ruth Chisale (11W-1L-OD)
– Co-main: Cruiserweight, 10 rounds: Akani Phuzi (11W-2L-0D) v Lebo Moshitoa (8W-2L-0D)
– Featherweight, 6 rounds: Itumeleng Tsolo (3W-1L-0D) v Deon Mbumbane (4W-9L-0D)
– Junior Welterweight, 8 round: Jabulani Makhense (11W-1L-0D) v Phillip Musariri (7W-2L-2D)
– Junior Middleweight, 8 rounds: Boyd Allen (5W-1L-1D) v Linda Ntshingila (4W-2L-1D)
Undercard
– Flyweight, 4 rounds: Sibonelo Maseko (2W-1L-0D) v Mpho Ndela(debut)
– Featherweight, 4 rounds: Lufono Mutshayi (1W-5L-1D) v Nosiacaswe Dube (0W-3L-1D)
– Junior Lightweight, 6 rounds: Athenkosi Plaatjies (3W-0L-0D) v Welcome Malumbu (0W-3L-0D)