Zimbabwe heavyweight boxer Elvis “The Bulawayo Bomber” Moyo put on a stunning show for local fans to regain his World Boxing Federation (WBF) All-Africa Heavyweight title with a fourth-round stoppage of Kenyan Bernard Adie at the Harare International Conference Centre on Friday night.
In the main event of the maiden Kwesé Sports Boxing Explosion, dubbed Harare’geddon, the 33-year-old star attacked Ardie with measured ferocity from the opening bell, landing explosive punches to the body for three rounds before the fight was stopped by South African referee Eddie Marshal.
Moyo, who during last week’s weigh-in predicted that his opponent would not last six of the scheduled 10 rounds, improved his record to six wins (two of them by knockouts), five losses and two draws (6-5-2).
“Actually, I hurt him in the second round, but most people didn’t notice. I hit him in the body very hard and from there, he came out in the third round breathing heavily. His punches got weaker, so it was just a matter of time,” Moyo said after the fight.
“Like I told you before, I throw bombs… I had predicted I would beat him in four to six rounds at the weight-in, so I’m pretty excited because I got him in four.”
Moyo first won the title back in 2013, but never defended his belt as he turned his attention to Mixed Marshal Arts (MMA), where he has been making a name for himself in South Africa and around the world.
He returned to the boxing ring, with a victory over Namibian boxer Akeem Tijani in his own backyard on July 28.
However, despite his instant success on his return to the boxing ring, Moyo said he would still continue competing in MMA.
“I might [concentrate on boxing only] if I get the chance to compete at the highest level, but right now I have to stay loyal to MMA because they built me. The reputation I have now is because of EFC Africa so loyalty sometimes is honourable,” he said.
Moyo’s victory capped off a successful evening for local boxers after former Zimbabwean champion Chamunorwa “Sting” Gonorenda had earlier stopped the previously undefeated Tanzanian Kaminja Ramadhan with a big left hand in the first round to lift the vacant WBF All-Africa Cruiserweight title.
The 33-year-old Gonorenda’s victory, which came almost 11 years after he won the Zimbabwean national title, improved his record to nine wins (two of them by way of knockouts) and 12 losses (9-12).
