A new division, a new promoter, a new ambition.
It’s all going on for Akani Phuzi, the bruiser from Limpopo who will be stepping up to heavyweight in October, fighting on Golden Gloves’ “Amanqobi” tournament at Emperors Palace.
Phuzi made a name for himself at cruiserweight, beating good names like Chris Thompson, Johnny Muller and Lebogang Mashitoa, but his work under trainer Damien Durandt – packing on muscle and improving his conditioning – means he has outgrown the division.
With a walking around weight of 104kg, he’s a naturally big man, although the plan post-October will be to campaign at bridgerweight.
Interestingly, in his last fight, almost a year ago, he dropped a decision to Muslim
Gadzhimagomedov, who has since gone on to capture the WBA version of the bridgerweight championship. It’s a result that doesn’t overly trouble Phuzi – “I took the bout on three weeks’ notice and couldn’t get going” – but he would love to get rated and then have a rematch with the Russian.
After a glittering amateur career, which included seven SA titles between 2008 and 2015, Phuzi has fought as a cruiserweight since he was 17.
His origins are similar to Cassius Baloyi, the accomplished former champion, who also hails from Malamulele in the north.
As a youngster Phuzi was attracted to the local stadium where boxing was one of the sports on offer. No less a figure than Eric Baloyi, father to Cassius, handed Phuzi gloves to spar with.
He long admired Roy Jones jnr and Thabiso Mchunu, but ultimately he developed a style all his own and one that produced prolific results.
He’s now 30 and has paid his dues as a cruiserweight, heralding a bold new beginning.
“He’s a very capable fighter and can make a dent at bridgerweight,” explained promoter Rodney Berman, who knows Phuzi well, having negotiated his three fights against Muller. “He’s a big guy, so I’m not concerned about his size at all. He can punch, too, and that alone can take him far.”
It’s a point Phuzi himself pushes, saying he had to drain himself in recent years, which affected his power. “I’m doing more strength training and eating better. If anything, I’ll be stronger at bridgerweight.”
The only knock on his career is that it’s been blighted by inactivity – just four fights in the past four years – but he keeps his hand in by working out and also training clients in two Johannesburg gyms. Of course, there’s nothing like the white heat of proper boxing, which is why he can’t wait to get stuck in next month.
