I'm in the pain business, says Mbenge

07 June 2017 - 10:36 By DAVID ISAACSON
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Thulani Mbenge of South Africa (red) against Scott Fitzgerald of England (blue) in the mens boxing welterweight (69kg) semi final during day 9 of the 20th Commonwealth Games at the Scottish Exhibition Centre on August 01, 2014 in Glasgow, Scotland.
Thulani Mbenge of South Africa (red) against Scott Fitzgerald of England (blue) in the mens boxing welterweight (69kg) semi final during day 9 of the 20th Commonwealth Games at the Scottish Exhibition Centre on August 01, 2014 in Glasgow, Scotland.
Image: Roger Sedres/Gallo Images

Unbeaten welterweight Thulani Mbenge admits that when he hurts an opponent he wants to inflict even more pain.

That is the type of attitude that could see him stretch his stoppage run to 11 when he takes on his first world-ranked opponent in Johannesburg on Saturday night.

Mbenge yesterday came face to face with Filipino Jayar Inson, unbeaten in 13 bouts and ranked No15 by the World Boxing Organisation - and he was unfazed.

"I've watched four fights of his on YouTube," Mbenge said after the pre-fight medical.

The weigh-in is on Friday.

"Does he have power? I don't think so," Mbenge, a 2014 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, said of his opponent, who has stopped nine of his opponents.

"These days you have to have power. Boxing is the hurt business.

"Once somebody is hurt, I go into beast mode. My mood changes and I just want to hurt them more."

Alfonzo Tissen, who takes on South African super-middleweight champion Lee Dyer for the African Boxing Union title on the same bill, has sparred with Mbenge recently.

"I've sparred with a lot of the guys and Thulani is probably the hardest-punching welterweight," said Tissen. "He's got a good array of punches and he can hurt you with either hand."

Southpaw Inson was inside the 66.68kg limit, and Mbenge a little over, suggesting he will not pack the same power on fight night.

The Mbenge camp is looking beyond the fight, with trainer Sean Smith eager to get a crack against US-based Chris van Heerden, a boxer he used to work with.

Topping the bill is the cruiserweight showdown between Thabiso Mchunu and Johnny Muller, with IBO strawweight champion Simphiwe Khonco against Lito Dante, also of the Philippines.

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