Training Camp Notes: Mchunu

Pretoria, South Africa: South African phenom Thabiso “The Rock” Mchunu (16-1, 11 KOs) pushed himself even harder in training camp as he prepared to square off with Brazilian Julio “Gaspar” Cesar Dos Santos (26-2, 23 KOs) in front of his hometown crowd Friday, June 6 in Pretoria South Africa. The 26 year old cruiserweight is scheduled to face Dos Santos in ten rounds at Rembrandt Hall at the University of Pretoria in Pretoria, South Africa.

Durodola vs. Mchunu Photo Credits: Rich Graessle/Main Events

Mchunu has won six straight bouts (since September of 2011 when he suffered his first, and only, pro defeat to Zack Mwekassa) – four by knockout (KO 1 vs. Lesley Khumalo on March 3, 2012, KO 1 vs. Flo Simba on June 16, 2012, another KO 1 vs. Flo Simba on September 22, 2012 and KO 5 vs. Danie Venter on November 10, 2012) before making his US debut with an impressive ten round unanimous decision victory over “Fast” Eddie Chambers on August 3, 2013 on NBCSN Fight Night. His most recent win came on January 24, 2014 against Olanrewaju “God’s Power” Durodola in ten rounds at Resorts International Casino and Hotel in Atlantic City, NJ and also on NBCSN Fight Night. This will be his first fight in his home country since signing a promotional contract with Main Events late in 2013.

According to Sean Smith, Mchunu’s trainer, Thabiso pushed himself harder than ever before while preparing for this fight, “Thabiso has had a great camp. Although we stuck to the same program as usual, we pushed a little harder with the cardio work and rounds of sparring. He has made major progress in his running output and punching power this camp.”

“The Rock” Photo Credits: Rich Graessle/Main Events

Smith and Mchunu wanted to concentrate on Thabiso’s stamina in the later rounds heading into this fight and they made that the main focus of this training camp. Smith added, “I’ve seen Thabiso put together some of his best sparring to date in this camp. He is an extremely focused athlete, and has the ability to take things to a new level. It is very easy to see guys plateau and fizzle out soon as you increase the volume and intensity. I truly believe not too many guys can go the distance with Thabiso if he can sustain the pressure in the later rounds.”
“The Rock’s” opponent, Julio “Gaspar” Cesar Dos Santos is ten years his senior at age 36. Dos Santos only has two losses in his entire career and he has never been stopped. Also, the Brazilian has a staggering 88% (23 of 26) knockout-to-win ratio. Smith said of Dos Santos, “Julio Dos Santos is also in fantastic shape and this is going to be a very ascetically pleasing bout.” He added, “But fans are gonna see a razor sharp and relentless Thabiso. Dos Santos has a very good record but I think Thabiso is gonna make a statement loud and clear that he’s ready for the next level.”

Mchunu vs. Chambers Photo Credits: Rich Graessle/Main Events

With regards to this fight, Thabiso said only, “I am going to traumatize this guy from start to finish.”
Main Events and Show Pony Promotions co-promote Mchunu. Damian Michael of Show Pony said, “I really believe come fight night on Friday we are going to see a very different Mchunu. He knows nothing short of a KO will do! His skills are just on another level and he is, without a doubt, the most talented cruiser on the planet! With the like of Bellew, Cleverly and whole lot of other big names, the cruiserweight division really is heating up!” To which Thabiso replied, “Bring them. Bring anyone! Afolabi, Bellew or Huck – they cannot exist on my planet”