adminRicky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
WORLD Boxing Federation African heavyweight champion Elvis “Bulawayo Bomber” Moyo has been barred from boxing in South Africa due to his involvement in the Extreme Fighting Championships (EFC) Africa mixed martial arts.The Zimbabwean born pugilist decided to venture into cage fighting at the beginning of the year after a frustrating 2013 boxing season which saw him fail to get boxing matches.
Boxing South Africa chief executive Loyiso Mtya cited safety concerns as a primary reason for banning Moyo from trading leather in boxing.
“Professional boxers are not allowed to be involved in mixed martial arts. Elvis is as a result not going to fight with us (Boxing SA) any more. We do not allow our boxers to fight in mixed martial arts tournaments.
“Their (MMA) gloves are too small, they use elbows, they kick and when a guy is down, they do not stop for a count. Instead, a guy is hit when he is down. They are allowed to go into the next fight while still injured from their previous fight because there is no punishment index,” said Mtya.
However, the EFC president Cairo Howarth dismissed Mtya’s concerns and said Moyo has added value to cage fights.
“Elvis has fought for us on three occasions and has proved to be a highly professional athlete.
He is a fan favourite with his incredible boxing skills. We contracted him with the understanding that he would continue his boxing career when he was done competing at EFC, which from our point of view is beneficial to everyone.
“Extensive research conducted in various countries has shown that statistically MMA is as safe as boxing. One of the reasons is that MMA has no standing 10-count. There are also generally less head strikes due to kicks to the legs and body, and the majority of the bout is often grappling based. Athlete’s safety is our top priority. We are continually improving to ensure our athletes receive the best care and fight under the most professional conditions possible,” Howarth told EFC online.
According to EFC, they are aligned with leading combat sports medical practice around the world, and EFC officials are trained to meet international standards.
Competitors are comprehensively examined by fully qualified doctors. They undergo a HIV test and hepatitis test, an MRI and MRA brain scan, submit a full medical history and undergo a pre-fight medical check before they are allowed to compete.
EFC also tests for performance-enhancers and other banned substances. EFC athletes must have their own private medical aid cover, to which EFC contributes 50 percent of the cost, a first of its kind in African combat sports.
The medical presence at EFC events includes two trauma doctors and 12 paramedics, far exceeding prescribed safety standards.
In addition, EFC athletes are given a comprehensive post fight examination, and are not allowed to compete for up to 90 days if a concussion was sustained depending on its severity.
Meanwhile, Moyo said he was not worried about the Boxing SA ban and will continue with his cage fights.
“As it is I’m preparing for my next fight against Tiny Strauss at EFC 32 to be held on August 7 at Carnival City. I still do boxing training though I can plainly say fights in boxing come through miracles.
“EFC have seen the potential in me and already in six months I have four bouts. Anyway, with the stance that Boxing SA has taken it looks like I will box elsewhere and that doesn’t worry me because we have not had fights for eight months.
“There is no boxing sponsorship here and cage fights are putting food on my table and for that reason I shall continue with my EFC fights,” Moyo said.
The former Tshaka boxer insists that he needs at least three weeks between his EFC fights to train for a boxing bill.
EFC Africa stage tournaments every six weeks and Moyo is the first Zimbabwean to participate in the growing sport which is dominated by South Africans, Ghanaians, Congolese, Nigerians and a few Egyptians and enjoys a lot of popularity in Asia, Europe and South East Asia.
Online Reporter