JOHANNESBURG - Allan Toweel Jnr is a wise manager-trainer and is very protective of his top boxer when it comes to picking fights. But he is also adventurous at times and throws his charge into the deep end to test his skills against better opposition.
That’s what he has done to his WBA Pan African featherweight champion, Rofhiwa Maemu. The champion will face Tanzania’s Fadhili Majiha, a WBA super-bantamweight champion, over 12 rounds for the Pan African WBA featherweight title at the Grand Palm Hotel Casino and Convention Centre in Gaborone on Thursday night.
This fights headlines the Fox Sports Africa Boxing tournament, which will feature five other fights on the undercard and it includes boxers from South Africa, Namibia, Kenya and Botswana.
“I know Rofhiwa’s ability as a boxer. And I know that as the holder of the Pan African WBA featherweight crown he will not be risking his title on the night,” Toweel said.
“In fact it is our plan to fight against better opposition and on more occasions as we need to showcase his talent. Fighting in Africa means there (is) far greater exposure for him, as we are unable to get fights in South Africa.”
Toweel admits Fox Sports Africa Boxing has opened an avenue for his fighter to showcase his talent and also says this week’s fight is a huge opportunity for Maemu to move his career forward.
“If he is able to get past top boxers in his weight division and conquer in Africa then he will certainly be putting himself into the limelight for bigger fights on the international platforms,” Toweel added.
“We’ve been afforded the platform here so we need to get as much exposure as possible and catch the eye of the bigger international promoters. I’ve said to Rofhiwa that we need to conquer Africa and then be on offer to the international market.”
Maemu’s opponent has been well studied by Toweel and the champion over the past four weeks. Videos of Majiha’s fights were acquired by Toweel and together they have analysed the Tanzanian, who has 20 wins from his 31 fights with seven losses and four draws.
“He packs a good right hand - that carries power - and he is not afraid to throw punches. But we’ve found a few chinks in his approach which we could expose. It could give Rofhiwa an opportunity to catch him on the counter,” Toweel said.
“However we’ve had time on our side and have prepared well for this fight. We’ve done our work for a full 12 round encounter, but if an opportunity for a knockout comes it would be a bonus.”