After overcoming the challenge of not having southpaws in the heavier divisions in his stable, Vusi Mtolo now strongly believes that he’s going to add yet another title to the Brian Mitchell Boxing Academy in Edenvale on Saturday next week.
Mtolo will usher his boxer Shervantaigh Koopman to war when he challenges International Boxing Organisation (IBO) junior-middleweight champion Uisma dos Ramos Lima at the Emperor’s Palace in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni.
“Initially, we struggled to get southpaws to spar with Koopman. But we eventually secured them and they helped Koopman. I’m grateful to all the stables who helped us during sparring sessions. We are ready and I’m now confident that Koopman is going to become a world champion on Saturday next week,” Mtolo remarked.
Meanwhile, the IBO has acceded to the demand of Lima, the former International Boxing Federation (IBF) Intercontinental junior-middleweight champion, to have neutral officials for the fight.
Four highly experienced ring officials who had been involved in 4570 combined bouts as judges and referees have been appointed to officiate during the fight.
The IBO has appointed Swede Mikael Hook, Englishman Howard Foster, Roger Barnor from Ghana and South African Tony Nyangiwe to officiate during the fight.
And despite having been born in Angola, the 32-year-old Lima will be fighting in Africa for the first time. Lima has fought in Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom and Canada. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
