Contracts have been signed, training plans put in place.
The road to redemption starts in October for Thabiso “The Rock” Mchunu, who will fight unbeaten Constantin Bejenaru for the WBC International cruiserweight title on a Joe De Guardia bill in America.
Mchunu’s greatest highs and worst lows came in the US, his fantastic wins against Olanrewaju Durodola and Eddie Chambers counter-balanced by painful defeat to Oleksandr Usyk last year.
He’s since picked himself up with a resounding defeat of Johnny Muller and begins his second march to honours against the crafty Romanian, a flawless 12-0 during his US pro career.
Trainer Sean Smith likes their chances, noting that, like Mchunu, Bejenaru is a southpaw with slick skills.
“He tried to campaign at heavyweight, a little like Mike Tyson and his peek-a-boo style,” said Smith. “He’s handy.”
For all that, he says that Mchunu’s long experience in the amateurs and his fights against some of the division’s biggest names will work heavily against Bejenaru.
“Thabiso has fought the biggest and baddest cruisers around. He’s got the skills to neutralise anything this guy might bring.”
Promoter Rodney Berman believes that Mchunu still has much to offer, believing he will have absorbed the lessons from campaigning overseas in recent years. “At his best, he’ a handful for anyone. That side-on style, fast hands and clever defence make it hard for anyone to beat him. We’ve seen him had great nights where he looks unbeatable. That’s what he needs in the US, to remind fans that he’s still out there and a danger for anyone.”
