05.06.07 – Tshifhiwa Munyai makes his fourth UK appearance in 12 months when he fights at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre on June 15 and the Johannesburg resident’s return to the Capital is good news for London’s boxing aficionados following his previous three victories.
The unbeaten Martin Power, then 19-0 (8,) was the Chelsea supporter’s first UK scalp in June 2006 when Munyai stepped in as a late replacement for the injured Ian Napa in a Commonwealth Bantamweight title clash.
“We were offered the 2006 fight on a Friday and we arrived in the UK the following Monday and fought on Thursday”, Munyai’s trainer Robert Macleod said.
Munyai, 21, exceptionally tall for a bantamweight at almost six feet, was then a virtual unknown boasting a career record of 10 wins and a draw from 11 bouts and surprised many by stopping the previously unbeaten Martin Power in the ninth round.
Power – who had trained with the expectation of fighting over fewer rounds – had also had taken the fight at short notice and not content to let matters lie, demanded a rematch which took place in January.
“I had been training for six or eight rounds for the last one and ended up going 12 rounds with a fighter who has a totally different style,” Power said at the time. “Now is the perfect time to fight him for me as I feel really well and am fit for 12 rounds.”
Munyai once more raised the tempo and for a second time his unusual boxing style proved to much for Power who was retired at the end of round four. The Londoner, who was hindered by an arm injury sustained in the second round, was gracious in defeat and summed up the feelings of many in the post fight interview.
“It was like déjà vu,” Power said. “He was definitely a better fighter than last time. I don’t regret one bit coming back to fight him but from the very beginning he was on top. He beat me fair and square.”
Sandwiched between these dazzling triumphs was Munyai’s first title defence against the then unbeaten Lee Haskins at Bethnal Green’s York Hall in October 2006. Haskin’s 15 consecutive victories were paid scant regard by the football mad South African as he dished out what many described as a ‘thrashing’, ultimately stopping the previously unbeaten Bristol resident in round six.
An opponent has yet to be named for Munyai’s June 15 bout.
Press Release composed by Simon Jackson for www.frankmaloney.com