Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane has wished world title hopeful Azinga ‘Golden Boy’ Fuzile all the best ahead of his fight against Briton Martin Ward.
Fuzile faces Ward in an International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior-lightweight elimination bout at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas, United States, on Saturday, 29 May.
The winner of this bout is going to challenge whoever wins between Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov from Tajikistan and Japanese boxer Kenichi Ogawa, who are set to clash in July.
“On behalf of the people of the Eastern Cape, we wish you all the best in the fight in Nevada. I hope you are well prepared,” Mabuyane said.
“You must draw inspiration to all those who were there before you. We are very proud of you. We want to see a world champion. We support boxing like other sporting codes. It’s no longer about fun. It’s not just a game, it’s a career to you. We are here to say farewell, all the best, be your best, calm down, don’t be under pressure.”
With the fight expected to be difficult for both boxers, Mabuyane reiterated that Fuzile will always be the son of the soil irrespective of the outcome of the Ward bout.
“Win or lose, you remain our son, we will remain proud of you. You are not going there to represent Duncan Village, you are going there to represent South Africa. Everyone will be looking up to you in South Africa,” Mabuyane said.
“We would want to make sure that you’ve got all the support you want that’s why we made sure that the things you requested are done. We want you to comeback stronger. It’s part of the experience, part of your development to go out.”
Mabuyane presented the former South African featherweight champion with a boxing kit.
Fuzile and his promoter Teris Ntutu from Rumble Africa Promotions (RAP) leave for the US on Sunday sans the boxer’s trainer Mzamo ‘Chief’ Njekanye, who couldn’t secure a visa to travel to America.
