East London boxing star Azinga Fuzile’s quest to take a short cut to a world title shot may have failed after he lost in Kazakhstan, but his handlers were happy with his performance against unbeaten Sultan Zaurbek at the weekend.
The Duncan Village hero was declared a loser on points to the unbeaten Kazakhstan boxer at Barys Arena in Astana in an IBF intercontinental junior lightweight title clash that left fans with mixed reactions.
Scores were strangely not announced.
Some felt Fuzile had been a victim of hometown decision while others blamed him for his failure to stamp his authority by opting to fight on the back foot throughout the contest.
Fuzile started well in the first four rounds as his jab kept the local hero guessing in a battle of left handers.
However, he never pressed the action, opting to fight in spurts without committing to a sustained offence.
When Zaurbek realised that he would not win the chess match, he started to push forward and took control of proceedings, forcing Fuzile to get on the bicycle.
If anything the fight proved Fuzile’s caginess and defensive skills which kept Zaurbek honest and reluctant to apply the finishing touches.
Using a combination of tricks, including keeping his hands by his waist side while taunting the visitor, Zaurbek could not corner Fuzile, who went into survival mode to see out the final bell.
Fuzile appeared to think that he had won the fight, with his social media post insinuating the judges had denied him a victory.
The sentiment was shared by a good number of his followers, with his manager Mla Tengimfene commending him for his gutsy display.
“We are very satisfied with how Azinga performed though he could have done a few other things,” he said.
“We will be looking to bring him back in August because he showed us that he is still a world class fighter.”
Boxing legend Ray Mancini, who was a television fight analyst, concurred that Fuzile still had a lot to offer in the ring and should continue with his career.
“The talk of retirement must not be part of his vocabulary because he showed here tonight that he is still a major player in the junior lightweight division,” Mancini said.
“He will still give a lot of top fighters in the division fits.”
Fuzile, who is just 28, was fighting abroad for the first time since losing in the US when he challenged for the IBF world title against Japan’s Kenichi Ogawa in 2021.
His loss to Zaurbek was his third in 21 bouts.
Meanwhile, provincial junior-flyweight champion Sibabalwe Gwebityala retained her crown when she beat Okuhle Mthi on points at Scenery Park community hall on Saturday.
The tournament was promoted by Ola GGM Promotions as part of the Women in Boxing Series featuring five all-women bouts.
Other results: Nozwelethu Mathontsi W8 Zizo Skoti (jnr fly); Thema Zuma W6 Babalwa Nonqonqotho (bantam); Nomfundo Xaba TKO2 Thapelo Bokwe (jnr bantam); Likho Nxele TKO2 Namhla Mankayi (jnr fly); Sinalo Mtolo TKO1 Asiphe Mbuti (mini-fly).
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