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Mourning is over for tko studdard

Emerging star fighter Joshua "TKO" Studdard says he is ready to "rawl" after giving himself enough time to mourn the death of his father.

The boxer's father, Rocky Studdard, a former amateur boxer, died in November 2015.

Studdard - who boasted six knockouts from seven wins - last saw action in June last year, when he dropped a points decision after six rounds to Ayanda Nkosi at Emperors Palace.

But the charismatic fighter, who is also a big draw card, said the period of inactivity has enabled him enough time to mourn his father's death.

"I was unstable in my mind after my father's death. I lost hunger to fight but I went ahead with the bout because I had already signed the contract. I've got the hunger to fight [now]," said the 25-year-old.

 

"I can feel the noise from the crowd calling my name. The boxing ring is also calling me and I cannot wait to get back into action," added the boxer, who is trained by Warren Hulley and Caz Abrahams.

Many in the boxing fraternity argue that Studdard should have been nomined for Boxing SA's top prospect award but the public decided nominations for the accolade, which was eventually won by Azinga "Golden Boy" Fuzile in Durban in January.

Studdard described Fuzile as a good boxer.

"But I honestly think that his win for the SA featherweight belt from Mabhuti Sinyabi was not enough to win him the award," reasoned Studdard.

"I think the winner should have been determined by the number of wins during the period in review, not the achievement because not all of us will be lucky to fight for a title after only four fights.

"Nonetheless, congratulations to Azinga. I am happy for him that he has a promoter [Terries Ntuthu] dedicated to his best interest," added Studdard.

l Promoter Sandile Xaka urged fight fans to come in big numbers for the last series of his Young Gladiators 3 development tournament at Blairgowrie Recreation Centre in Johannesburg on Sunday.

Jeff "911" Magagane will headline the bill with the first defence of his Gauteng lightweight belt against Ayanda Nkosi. Action will begin at 1.30pm.

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