'He’s a nice kid‚ but he’s dreaming. The war is here'

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

That’s 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 on Tuesday came face to face with Filipino Jayar Inson‚ unbeaten in 13 bouts and owner of the No15 ranking in the World Boxing Organisation — and he was unfazed.

“I’ve watched four fights of his on YouTube‚” Mbenge said after the pre-fight medical where all the boxers on the Golden Gloves bill at Emperors Palace were given a clean bill of health.

The weigh-in is on Friday.

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“Does he have power? I don’t think so‚” Mbenge 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 SA super-middleweight champion Lee Dyer for the African Boxing Union title on the same bill‚ has sparred many rounds with Mbenge recently.

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“I’ve sparred with a lot of the guys and Tulani is probably the hardest-punching welterweight‚” said Tissen‚ who has traded blows in training with Mbenge’s last victim‚ Shaun Ness‚ as well as others.

“He’s got a good array of punches and he can hurt you with either hand.”

Southpaw Inson was already inside the 67kg weight limit‚ while Mbenge was a little over‚ suggesting he will certainly not pack the same power come fight night.

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The Mbenge camp is already 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.

“He’s a nice kid‚ but he’s dreaming. The war is here.”

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.

  - TMG Digital/TMG Sport