|
Undefeated Swiss
Welterweight-hope Zino Meuli
(25) will be taking a huge step
up in class when he fights for
the vacant World Boxing
Federation (WBF) International
title on August 25 at the
Bodensee-Arena in Kreuzlingen.
Since turning professional in
December of 2015, Meuli has
compiled an unblemished 11-0 (6)
record and done everything
that's been asked of him, but he
has never been in with anyone of
the calibre he will be facing in
his careers first championship
fight.
In the opposite corner will be
former IBO World Welterweight
Champion Tsiko “Cruel Junior”
Mulovhedzi from South Africa, a
man who has fought, and been
successful, levels above what
the local man has operated at,
and brings an amazing career
story.
Mulovhedzi, 12-8-3 (6), made his
debut in 2005 with a victory,
but quickly slid into the role
of journeyman. Four years later
his record stood at an
underwhelming 3-7-1 (1), and not
even the greatest of optimists
could see him achieving anything
noteworthy.
But his fortune started to
change with a draw against
former South African Champion
Amon Baloyi (13-5-2) in
September 2010, and less than a
year later he beat Boitshepo
Mandawe (12-2) to win the South
African national title.
Title defences against Kyle
Smith (7-1), Ntuthuko Memela
(10-0-1), Mziwoxolo Ndwayana
(11-2-2) and Mzolizi Yoyo
(22-6), set him up for a crack
at IBO World Champion, and
former WBF World Champion, Ali
Funeka (36-4-3) in July of 2015.
Underdog Mulovhedzi totally
destroyed Funeka, flooring him
four times before the fight was
halted in the fifth round. He
made one defense of the IBO
World title, in April of 2016,
out-pointing Mexican Jesus
Gurrola (21-7-3), before
politics stripped him of the
crown without losing it in the
ring.
He since won and lost the IBF
Intercontinental title, and is
9-1-2 (5) in his last twelve
outings. With his superiority in
experience, and proven class,
the South African must be
considered a favourite going in,
despite Meuli´s home-court
advantage.
|
