Certified Brit killer Tshifhiwa Munyai returns to England on January 26 when "The Atomic Spider" defends his Commonwealth Bantamweight belt against British Champion Martin Power. It will be the third time that the towering South African has fought in the UK and based on his previous two bouts, Munyai may be heading on to bigger and better things.
Standing in the way will be reigning British Champion Martin Power, who was overwhelmed by the long limbed attack of Munyai in June of last year. Despite claiming un-preparedness for Munyai, a late replacement opponent in the first bout, Power is a decided underdog and is facing an uphill battle.
In October of last year, Munyai returned to England to batter and stop Commonwealth Super Flyweight Champion Lee Haskins in six rounds, proving to be the first fighter to solve the fast, awkward style of the Englishman.
Unlike the first clash with Munyai, Power has had the time to prepare properly for this challenge and has sworn to protect British soil but if the Londoner cannot turn back the African, recipient of the Overseas Boxer of the Year Award for 2006, it could pave the way for a world title campaign by "The Atomic Spider".
Standing nearly 6 feet tall and possessing superb boxing skills, Munyai could pose real problems for the top class of bantamweights at world level but first he'll have to prove that the initial victory over Martin Power was no fluke.
Frank Maloney Promotions presents "Payback or Playback?", the Tshifhiwa Munyai vs. Martin Power Commonwealth Bantamweight Championship rematch at Goresbrook LC in Dagenham, England on January 26, 2007. Undefeated Gary Woolcombe challenges English Light Middleweight Champion Andrew Facey and Brian Magee faces Andrew Lowe in a Final Eliminator for the British Light Heavyweight title. Tickets are available by logging onto http://www.frankmaloney.com or by calling the Box Office at 0844 477 6466. Sky Sports broadcasts live on SS1 starting at 22:00.
Can anyone stop the Atomic Spider?
This is a decent bill, fair play to Power going back in with Munyai although i only see one result and that's the same as the first bout. However it will be interesting to see Gary Woolcombe in with a live test in Andrew Facey who gave Bradley Pryce a good test. After good wins over Lee Murtagh and Eugenio De Monteiro i think fighting the likes of Alex Stoda was just record padding of which Woolcombe needs no more as it is padded out enough.
A fight with Andrew Lowe will also indicate how much Brian Magee has left in the tank at his new weight after overcoming dangerman Paul David last time round. Should be a good show.
A fight with Andrew Lowe will also indicate how much Brian Magee has left in the tank at his new weight after overcoming dangerman Paul David last time round. Should be a good show.
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glittermonkey
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Presuming that Munyai does get by Power, I think he has a very good chance at world level. Aside from Hasegawa (with Marquez moving up) there isn't really another stand out fighter at bantam. I see no reason why he shouldn't be able to match the likes of Mabuza or Montiel. In fact I'd pick him over the latter with total certainty due to the overwhelming size difference. He's certainly looked several levels above our boys anyway.