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The hotly anticipated bantamweight rematch between Commonwealth titlist Tshifhiwa Munyai and British Champion Martin Power, “Payback or Playback”, takes place on January 26 at the Goresbrook LC in Dagenham, England.
The last time the pair met in June of this year, Munyai, a late replacement, forced Power’s corner to pull the plug in the ninth round to save their man from permanent damage.
The stoppage didn’t suit Power and the reigning British Bantamweight Champion is out for vengeance. “I underestimated the South African the last time we fought and I had also prepared to fight a different kind of opponent,” said Power. “This time I’ve had nine week’s notice and I just want to correct the result. I’ve asked my promoter Frank Maloney for this fight personally and will grab the opportunity with both hands.”
Munyai roared from obscurity to defeat Power and win the Commonwealth title and then returnedless than four months later to hammer Commonwealth Super Flyweight Champion Lee Haskins into submission. As a result, the lanky “Atomic Spider” was awarded the Overseas Boxer of the Year
honor at the British Boxing Awards dinner.
“I look forward to coming to England again, I have a lot of fans there and it’s like a second home to me now,” said Munyai. “When I fought Power before it was on one week’s notice and this time I’ve had a lot of time to get ready. I know what style he’ll use and I don’t think he can improve; this time, I’ll do a quicker job on him. I’m coming to England to win and by the end of 2007, I want to fight for a world
title.”
Promoter Frank Maloney pulled Power out of the first fight with Munyai due to concerns for the Londoner’s safety and initially wasn’t keen on the rematch. “Martin Power and his trainer Johnny Eames asked for this fight personally, against advice from me,” said Maloney. “But I was convinced as they feel that with the right training over a proper period of time that they have the beating of Munyai.”
Maloney Promotions presents “Payback or Playback”, the Tshifhiwa Munyai vs. Martin Power Commonwealth Bantamweight Championship rematch at Goresbrook LC in Dagenham, England on January 26, 2007. Undefeated Southern Area light middleweight titlist Gary Woolcombe will also feature on the bill. Tickets are available by logging onto www.frankmaloney.com or by calling the Box Office at 0844 477 6466.
