Having learned the lessons of two painful reverses, Thabiso Mchunu is more resolved in his ambition of winning a championship.
He has an opportunity to take a major step forward in October when he fights for the WBC International title in the US on a Joe De Guardia bill.
His opponent is unbeaten New York-based Constantin Bejenaru of Moldova, like Mchunu a slick mover who relies on solid fundamentals. He won the International belt last year when he put a dent in the unbeaten record of Stivens Bujaj.
It is a lifeline for Mchunu, who suffered two heavy defeats in recent years, to Junior Makabu and Oleksandr Usyk. Despite showing promising form in both, he ran out of gas. Happily, he showed no such failing in his most recent contest when he completely dominated Johnny Muller.
It demonstrated two things: the fact that his hunger remains and his ability to comfortably endure 12 rounds.
“I wouldn’t be backing him if I didn’t believe he still had fight in him. Fact is, he’s in a tremendous position given the likely movement in the cruiserweights, with Super Series contestants sure to be knocked off,” said Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves. “He and stablemate Kevin Lerena are very much up there. Now all he must do is get the business done in America.”
Mchunu is rated number 15 by the WBC with Bejenaru one spot higher, at 14.
