Grudge Fight Heating Up

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November 26, 2010 / BY UBO PRESS OFFICER   

The two local rivals will square off at the DDC Keko Hall, just a stone’s throw away from both boxer residing neighborhoods, and besides being for a world title the fight is also about who is the king of town:

The young and very promising Fundi (13-4, 7 KOs), or the older and vastly more experienced Mathias (27-16-2, 14 KOs)?

“Anthony Mathias may have almost three times as many professional fights as me, and he has faced tougher opponents, sure, but that won’t mean a thing on Sunday. I am the better and quicker boxer, and the hardest puncher, and I am going to knock him out inside five rounds”, said a super-confident Juma Fundi at a public training and press conference Thursday afternoon.

Fundi vs. Mathias has attracted massive attention in the Tanzanian capital. It is not every day that two locals fight each other in a world championship fight, and the Dar Es Salaam media is eating up the hype. Promoter Pius Agaton of Aga Sports & Art is expecting a sell-out crowd, and the winner could emerge as one of the countries new major sports heroes.

“Winning this fight means everything to me”, explained Anthoy Mathias. “I have been through a rough patch in my career and lost some fights I should not have lost, or shouldn’t have been in at all because I wasn’t properly prepared.

“Fundi can say whatever he wants, because I know what I can do when I am on top of my game, and I will be fired up and ready on Sunday. He is going to have a hard time knocking me out when he is looking up at me, flat on his back on the canvas”.

Former PABA and Tanzanian champion Mathias has enjoyed some recent success, winning his last three fights after coming up short against some of the best boxers the world has to offer in or around his weight class. He feels rejuvenated, and promises a spectacular performance against Fundi:

“It is going to be my night, no doubt about it. I feel better than I have in a long time, and I believe that I am the one who has the most power of the two of us. Fundi will realize this very quickly once the fight starts”.

Fundi won the UBO International title in his last fight, stopping Shabani Kilumbelumbe in July, and 2010 could prove to be his break-out year if he defeats Mathias:

“I am only 23 years old, so obviously I have many years still to make my mark in boxing. But I want to start creating my legacy right here in my hometown by defeating Mathias in impressive fashion and win the world title. It’s going to be a good fight, I am sure, but it won’t last very long. I repeat: I will stop Mathias inside five rounds!”