Undefeated Fourie more than ready for next fight

Being ranked No.1 for any boxing title does not necessarily mean that fighter is ready to annex the throne.

Some trainers have learnt the hard way due to rushing their fighters to challenging for titles on the basis of their top ranking when in fact they were still work in progress.

There are exceptional cases where very raw fighters found themselves in such situations and somehow succeeded in winning national titles.

One such fighter is Thabiso “The Rock” Mchunu who won the SA light heavyweight title in only his fourth professional fight in 2008. But Mchunu had spent quality time in the amateur ranks.

Successful yet unheralded trainer Gert Strydom is definitely not one of those trainers who would take such a huge gamble. His charge Kaine Fourie is rated No.1 for the lightweight title which is held by Khaya Busakwe.

Strydom believes in his fighter’s capability but he won’t rush him. After all Fourie has already done a number on Busakwe, stopping him in the third round, before Busakwe bounced back in March this year to win the national belt.

Strydom put it point blank during an interview ahead of Fourie’s fight for the ABU SADC title against Lancelot Moyo at the Portuguese Hall on Friday night that they were not after titles at this stage.

“Even the ABU SADC title was offered to us,” said Strydom. “We can fight Busakwe but he is now attached to Ayanda Matiti and I don’t say it will make sense for two Gauteng boxers fighting for the SA title in East London. Our focus is on the fight on Friday and I can tell you that he is as ready as he can be. I am not making any predictions but if Kaine lands on Moyo, he will go to sleep.”

Fourie, 21, had six amateur fights before he turned professional in 2018. He showed guts and determination by coming back from the brink of defeat eventually outpoint tough-as-teak Sinethemba Blom in their punishing six rounder in October last year.

Fourie is undefeated after four fights with two knockouts. The fight on Friday will be his first 10 rounder. It will headlined Unleashed  Combat’s card which will be televised live by SABC from 7pm.