I have beaten aggressive fighters like Golola before - Andras

By Douglas Mazune                           

 Friday

Golola v  Nagy Andras

WORLD Kickboxing Federation (WKF) chief executive Fritz Exenberger’s promise of a world title shot for the winner has raised stakes in the Moses Golola fight against Hungarian Andras Nagy in Kampala on Friday.

The contest for the vacant WKF Inter-continental super middle weight title that will be held at Hotel Africana will be preceded with a weigh-in Thursday.

Exenberger promised to arrange a world title fight during a pre-fight news conference attended by Nagy (20 fights, 12 wins (6 KOs) and 8 losses) and Golola (14 wins, 12KOs, 2 losses and 1 draw).

“This Kampala fight is going to be a big contest. Europe challenges Africa. As a federation we know the chances of each fighter are 50-50. Whoever wins will go to the next level which is a world title,” Exenberger said, prompting Golola to shout, “That’s a blessing for me. Thank you very much.”

Golola in his typical showy style promised to knock out the Hungarian. “I respect the sport and my opponent. Right now we are friends in the spirit of sportsmanship but when the bell rings I will be like a hungry lion,” Golola said.

Nagy stated: “Golola is such a friendly and respectful man inside himself but when he comes out here he paints a different image. He is strong and I am strong too.”

Who is Nagy Andras

Unlike many African kick-boxers who started their careers as boxers, Nagy ventured directly into the sport in 2001 at amateur level when he was still in high school. Previously he was into gymnastics, athletics and basketball which he still plays for leisure at Pecs University.

He has had only 20 fights in a four-year professional career because of breaks due to academics and work commitments.

“I am not into kickboxing for a living. I am into professional kickboxing but it is not my profession otherwise I would be fighting every month. It’s a sport I love and train all the time.”

Nagy the wannabe carpenter

If Golola has been hardened by manual jobs in the past, he has found his match.

Nagy was in a vocational school where he trained in carpentry. He quit just two years before he could become a professional carpenter.

“It was not my kind of thing. My parents are sports people and I have been involved in sports all my life. Friends encouraged me to join the university to study physical education which I did.”

His father Lajos Nagy is into Orienteering (a competitive sport in which participants find their way to various checkpoints across rough country terrain with the aid of a map and compass) while his mother Neubauer Zsuzsa (Susan) who is physical education teacher was prolific in gymnastics. My parent taught sport, I am proud of them and I would like them to be proud of me when I win here.

He has matched the ‘Gololas’

Golola is a great fighter. His attitude is different from mine and good for him. I have had aggressive fighters like him and I have beaten them. They can try to scare you before but it gets to a time when it’s just the two of you in the ring, for a very short period. I normally don’t care about what they say and simply believe in myself.”

Is he excited about the fight

“I have never had a contest where I have been given much attention. I have never done so many interviews. I got shocked when I got here. But that’s positive shock which brings the best out of me…you know what I mean. It’s good for me because if I win it will open doors for me to get European title fights. I like big contests and I will do my best.”

What’s up Nagy’s sleeve?

That’s just what he could not divulge. Nagy went unsearchable on the internet making it difficult to get independent information about him. He is very reluctant to name his past opponents. He would have even wanted to conceal the fact that he is left-handed (south paw).

“You are going to tell my opponent that I am left-handed. By the way I can write with both hands,” he joked with a hearty laugh as he sipped water.

With a high level of tactical secrecy exhibited by Nagy he remains an unpredictable opponent.