Mozland, Mayala vow to tear each other apart for ABU belt

Story audio is generated using AI

Boxing fans who don’t have strong stomach to watch a vicious fight must steer clear of Farmers Market in Fourways, northern Johannesburg, on Friday evening.

The venue will host Mayamiko Mozland and Antonio Mayala, who vowed to exchange punches vigorously for the vacant ABU junior-welterweight boxing belt.

Mozland is also known as “Tyson”, the nickname inspired by his aggressive and explosive fighting approach reminiscent of Mike “Iron Mike” Tyson.

Mozland is promoted by Warriors Ascent Promotion (WAP), while Brad Norman guides the boxer’s promising career. He is trained by Ncedo Cecane, a former SA flyweight and Eastern Cape bantamweight champion, at the WBC Gym in Carlton Centre.

Cecane is assisted by former multiple regional champion Frans Ramabolu and Sihle Mathenjwa.

Mozland is from Lilongwe, Malawi, which is home to former IBO middleweight world champ Isaac “Golden Boy” Chilemba, former ABU, WBF and IBF Africa bantamweight champ Ellen “Tigress” Simwaka and Adidya “Lioness” Mimu.

The Malawian Boxing Association junior-welterweight champion boasts six knockouts in seven wins against a loss.

On the other hand, Mayala, who is known as “The Eagle”, hails from Maquela do Zombo in Angola but is based in Cape Town.

Born Maiala Muanza Antonio, the 44-year-old boxer has 12 wins from 19 bouts, according to BoxRec.Com, which updates boxers’ records.

Mozland said: “Antonio Mayala will be facing the most dangerous version of Mike Tyson they can find in Africa because I’m telling you, it is another path for me to become the best in the division.”

Mayala’s response was sweet and short. “To be honest, I am not worried about his power because people say he has power,” he said. “I fought people with better power than his.”

Meanwhile, Martin “Tiger” Achebi from Kenya, who will fight Wassim “Kleurkling” Chellan for the vacant ABU welterweight belt in another title fight, warned: “I don’t feel any pressure fighting Chellan in SA. The ring is the same size. I am coming to SA to win. I will definitely leave with the ABU championship. Wassim should fear everything about me.”

Chellan is a former SA junior-bantamweight champ from Manenberg in Cape Town. Trained by Felix Venganayi, Chellan is linked up with WAP.

There will be four more bouts and action will begin at 7pm.