Rwanda-born Swiss Patrick Kinigamazi hit the peak of his career, so far at least, when he captured the World Boxing Federation (WBF) World Super Featherweight title last June with a unanimous decision over Argentinian Juan Jose Farias in his home-town Thonex.
Now the 34-year-old, who has compiled a record of 27-2 (3) and is unbeaten since 2012, is set to make his maiden title-defense on Friday November 24 at the Salle bout du Monde in Geneva, as the main event of a show promoted by Tundra Promotions.
His opponent will be Robert Laki, a former Hungarian titlist with a nice-looking 14-1-1 (8) ledger. Laki (25) will enter the fight an underdog, but, as will almost always be case with Kinigamazi, the challenger is a bigger puncher than the champion and therefore a live underdog.
With only three stoppage victories, Kinigamazi is obviously relying mainly on his boxing-skills. But that doesn’t mean that he is boring in the ring, and his fights are often entertaining because his opponents are less than terrified of his power.
However, a former World and three-time European Full-Contact Kick-Boxing Champion, Kinigamazi has a wealth of combat-experience. Despite his apparent lack of devastating power, he is a quality operator, and he believes firmly, if given the chance, that he is capable of unifying against other world champions.
But first things first, as Robert Laki stands in his way on November 24. The Hungarian is going into the lions den, and as others before him he is confident that he can rattle Kinigamazi. The question will be if the home-man can ride the likely early storm, and impose his will as the fight wears on.
