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Angel vows to stop The Devil

SECOND SHOT: Isaac Hlatshwayo. Pic: Sydney Seshibedi. 17/11/2008. © The Times.
SECOND SHOT: Isaac Hlatshwayo. Pic: Sydney Seshibedi. 17/11/2008. © The Times.

LIMPOPO fighter Isaac Hlatshwayo says he can't wait to get his hands on Delvin Rodriguez.

LIMPOPO fighter Isaac Hlatshwayo says he can't wait to get his hands on Delvin Rodriguez.

The "Angel" from Shisase Village and "The Devil" will clash on Saturday night for the vacant IBF welterweight belt at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut.

"I'm physically and mentally ready to fight Rodriguez," said Hlatshwayo, who drew with Rodriguez in their first duel at Emperors Palace in November.

But the local fight fraternity does not give him a chance. They argue that Hlatshwayo failed to use territorial advantage to overcome the American and question his ability to beat Rodriguez on foreign soil.

Fightnews quoted Hlatshwayo as saying: "The last fight is water under the bridge, but I can assure you that I'm going to bring the IBF belt back with me to South Africa."

His trainer Nick Durandt said yesterday: "We have been in the gym since January so trust me when I tell you Isaac will be in tremendous shape.

"We have studied Delvin intensely since the first fight and I'm convinced Isaac will be equal to the task."

Rodriguez has predicted a stoppage win: "Scorecards won't matter this time round. I'm gonna knock him out.

"I know that I can take his punch and that he cannot take mine."

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