Wanyonyi promises his fans big victory against Tanzania's 'Mtu Kazi' Mandonga
Boxing
By
Ochieng Oyugi
| Jul 02, 2023
Former African Boxing Union (ABU) Light Heavy champion Daniel Wanyonyi is promising a huge victory in his rematch with Tanzanian showboating pugilist Karim 'Mtu Kazi' Mandonga this month.
The historic fight, promoted by Maurice Odera of Ultra Fight Series Promotion, will be held at the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi on July 22.
Wanyonyi has pledged to clear motormouth Mandonga with a knock out in the third round of their ten round duel.
"He won't last beyond the third round, it will be massive victory," Wanyonyi told Standard Sports at Pal Pal Gym in Nairobi where he has been training twice a day under head coach Julius Odhiambo.
"So far, I have worked on my counter attacks, I realised Mandonga is a rough and offensive fighter, he has no uppercut or any tactics for hooks, there's nothing you can learn from his style of play," Wanyonyi said.
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"I have also worked on my side steps, this is what I will capitalise to floor him. In our first meeting I underrated him, but this time I'm preparing so well to finish the job early in the night, the fight will end very fast," Wanyonyi said.
By engaging in lots of sparring, Wanyonyi has conditioned his body to absorb more punches, a fact he says is a sign that his body is well oiled for the slug off ahead.
Since his loss to Mandonga, Wanyonyi has not gone for any break, he has been consistent with training.
He believes lack of fitness is what contributed to his painful defeat by the Tanzanian in January, after he failed to come out for the sixth round in the ten round fight that was held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi.
"I was so rusty, I was totally unfit, I was just coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic that hampered my training schedule. Mandonga had been doing intense exercises ever since as Tanzania was not under any Covid regulations," Wanyonyi said.
"So far, I can confidently say I have done my homework well, I have polished up, I'm ready for the rematch," he said.
Wanyonyi says his recent fight against Charles Kakande of Uganda which he won on TKO at Kasarani Indoor Arena three months ago is already enough prove that his body is fit and is ready to tackle big talking Mandonga.
Mandonga recently said he will finish Wanyonyi with a 'Kinguki' jab 'imported' from Russia, which Wanyonyi has dismissed as hot air stating that he has slugged more Russians than the Tanzanian.
"I will use the so called Kinguki jab to finish him off. Kitamramba (He will be consumed)," Wanyonyi said.
While inviting his legion of fans for the rematch Wanyonyi said : "Kindly turn up in large numbers on the day, be punctual because this fight will end very fast. I'm also inviting my Governor Kenneth Lusaka and area Member of Parliament Didmus Baraza to come watch me carry the night." Former African Boxing Union (ABU) Light Heavy champion Daniel Wanyonyi during training. [Jonah Onyango,Standard]
Odera says fans should expect a very exciting night of pure boxing on July 22.
"There will be five hours of thrilling entertainment, pure talent will be displayed by the pugilists at the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi," he said.
When asked why he decided to hold the rematch fight, Odera says he believed the first bout was biased against Wanyonyi.
"It was unfair loss to Wanyonyi, he did not train well, he had a long layoff. I felt Wanyonyi needed a chance to absolve his reputation, to show fans that he is better than Mandonga, and that Mandonga is just popular but not a better boxer than he is.
"Knowing Wanyonyi, knowing his history, knowing that he is among the older generation who have paved the way for the younger generation in the game, I had to give him this opportunity to redeem himself," Odera said.