adminRicky Zililo Sports Reporter
WORLD Boxing Federation All-Africa heavyweight champion, South Africa-based Zimbabwean, Elvis Victor Moyo has said he is ready to defend his title against Francis “Galagata” Zulu of Zambia next month. Moyo who celebrated his 30th birthday yesterday said he has started preparing for his fight with the 39-year-old Zambian pugilist.
He said his fight against Zulu would raise his profile and wants to capitalise on his title to get more bouts this year.
“It has always been tough for me to be where I am today and I don’t want to rest on my laurels because that can lead to my downfall. The road to a title fight was not easy because there were times I thought I might never get a title fight because I was failing to get opponents and my boxing career was stagnant.
“Now that I have this belt with me, I am confident that this is the beginning of better things for my career and I want as many fights as possible. I don’t want to make the mistake that some boxers make by turning down challenges. Whoever wants this WBF All-Africa heavyweight belt must be man enough to face me. Zulu has put up a challenge and I am ready to hit him hard,” said Moyo.
Better known as the “Bulawayo Bomber” Moyo landed the WBF All-Africa title in November when he pummeled highly regarded former South African heavyweight champion Osborne Machimana and now faces Zulu who has a respectable record of 17 wins, three losses and two draws in his 20-year career.
According to BoxRec.Com, Moyo has fought 12 times winning four games against Kali Kalembe and Stephen Castle at Emperors Palace in 2011. His third victory was against Justice Silinga in 2012 and recorded his fourth victory in November against Machimana.
The Bulawayo Bomber has lost five times to Danie Venter, Joseph Chingangu, Flo Simba and Ilunga Makaba who knocked him out twice in 2008 and 2010.
Moyo’s draws were against Machimana at the beginning of last year and Jonny Muller in 2010.
Johannesburg-based Moyo became the second Zimbabwean boxer to clinch a continental title in 2013 after Charles Manyuchi won the African Boxing Union welterweight belt at the expense of Patrice Sue Toke of Burkina Faso in June.
Moyo’s Johannesburg trainer-cum-manager Gert Strydom told our sister paper Sunday Mail that the future looks bright for the Bulawayo-born fighter.
“Elvis can be a great fighter. He just lacks confidence but I think this belt will turn things around for the better for him. He does realise how strong and good he is. I think he’s got a great future – it’s just a mind thing. Once he gets it right in his mind, then he will be untouchable,” said Strydom.
Moyo did not break during the festive holidays as he continued with training anticipating to make his debut cage fight in March after his bill against Zulu.
“I am in great shape and have been working hard in the gym. Even if the fight is to be moved to next week, I am ready to get into the ring,” Moyo said.
Online Reporter