BATTLE-MARKED former SA, WBA Pan African, IBF Inter-Continental and IBO junior welterweight champion, Kaizer "The Animal" Mabuza, continues to fight despite being clearly past his sell-by date.

Even his trainer Manny Fernandes has made it clear that it is crucial that the 35-year-old veteran of 38 fights wins against WBC Baltic Sea welterweight champion David Avanesyan in Russia on Friday.

"A win will reignite his flagging boxing career," said Fernandes before their departure for Russia on Monday night.

"Look, Kaizer is not getting any younger. He is 35 years old. He must win but I still think that he's got another two years left in him. You know what, if the real Kaizer that I know comes out on the night, then he will win."

Mabuza has fought top-name fighters, who include Robert Medley, Emmanuel Lartei Larety, Zab Judah, Chris van Heerden and Khabib Allakhverdiev.

In his last fight on October 5, Mabuza was outpointed by Bethuel Ushona for the WBO Africa welterweight title in Namibia. That was Mabuza's 10th defeat against 25 wins and three draws.

Avanesyan, 25, won the WBC Baltic Sea Championship on November 4 with a second-round knockout of Carlos Leonardo Herrera in Russia.

Having turned professional in 2009, the right-handed Russian has fought all his fights at home, where he registered 16 wins, one loss and a draw.

But Herrera, from Argentina, is the only experienced opponent that Avanesyan has fought.

Fernandes fancies their chances. "We can win only if Kaizer boxes from the outside because this guy is a come-forward fighter. He likes to trap opponents against the ropes and [send down] flurries of punches," he said. "We trained very well since we've known about this fight for a long time. There will be no excuses."

Mabuza lost his first professional fight to Isaac Hlatshwayo in 2000. He also failed to win the SA lightweight title from the same opponent the following year.