Saku to defend title in Jo’burg

Jul 23, 2008

AFRICA welterweight champion Hassan “The Hitman” Saku makes the first defence of his title tomorrow against South Africa’s Chris Van Heerden at the Carousel Casino in Johannesburg, South Africa.

By Phillip Corry

AFRICA welterweight champion Hassan “The Hitman” Saku makes the first defence of his title tomorrow against South Africa’s Chris Van Heerden at the Carousel Casino in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Saku, 32, will be seeking his maiden win this year after a three-fight losing streak that saw him pounded by Albert Starikov, Allan Vester and Emanuele Della Rosa.

“It’s a big fight for him and he knows that he must win if he wants to get bigger deals elsewhere,” Eddie Bazira, the Ugandan fighter’s manager, said.

“The whole of Africa will be watching this fight so he has to show the continent that he is a true African champion.”

Saku goes into the fight with a 9(8 KOS) 5-0 record with a 57.14% knockout ratio.

The fight is a battle of southpaws and the unbeaten Heerden goes into the ring with a 9-0-1 record with seven stoppages.

According to South African press, Heerden has skills to outpoint the rugged Ugandan who was previously stopped by Anton Solopov of Russia in February 2007.

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