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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
CAGE fighter Elvis “The Bulawayo Bomber” Moyo is confident of bouncing back to winning ways when he takes on Andrew Van Zyl in an Extreme Fighting Championships bout at Johannesburg’s Coca-Cola Dome, South Africa, on Thursday night. Van Zyl is a former EFC champion and Moyo believes he can stand the heat against his highly-fancied opponent.
Thursday’s fight is Moyo’s third cage fight and he will be seeking his second victory after beating Sors Grobbelaar in March before losing to Brendon Groenwald in a title eliminator last month.
“I have been training hard after my defeat to Groenwald which was a setback for me as I was targeting to fight for the title. I am geared up for Van Zyl who is a former champion and as a champion in my own right, I want to show those doubting my pedigree that my victory against Sors was not a fluke by winning on Thursday.
“My team at the Bronx Gym has been awesome, supportive and I want to win this match for the faith that they have in me. I have been working hard on my groundwork and I think I have covered enough ground. I just have to avoid going to the ground,” said Moyo.
He is counting himself lucky for being included in Thursday’s line up as he has not been on the initial list. He replaced Lance Ceronio who was forced to withdraw after picking up an injury.
Van Zyl told South African media last week that pressure was on him and conceded that the bill will be tough.
“It’s a different challenge. Of course Moyo’s going to have clean KO power going all the time. He’s (Moyo) hesitant, he stays back, waiting with his right hand cocked,” continued Van Zyl.
“He’s a big guy and he hasn’t been physically tested. If I work him up against the fence, he’s going to get tired. Moyo’s dangerous, but there are ways around that. I’ll be keeping things very tight.
“The pressure’s on me, here. Elvis probably only needs one good punch to end it, which means I won’t be making any mistakes. It’s up to me to set the tone of this fight, and take it where I want it,” Van Zyl was quoted.
Moyo’s trainer Gert Strydom challenged the heavyweight World Boxing Federation African champion to put up a spirited fight.
“You better lift your game bro (Moyo). We need to win something,” Strydom told his boxer.
Strydom’s words seem to have gone through to Moyo.
“I am not a loser but a born champion and I will fight hard to win this bill. There are a lot of expectations and it’s high time I deliver. If I want to be a champion, then I have to beat the best in the game,” said Moyo.
Thursday’s bill will be screened live on pay-per-view television station SuperSport.
Online Reporter