FLOYD Mayweather inspired him to fight – and Brian Muwenge says he plans to be a heavyweight version of ‘Pretty Boy.’ The 2019 and 2021 Development super-heavyweight champion launches his pro career this month.
Manager Costas Evangelou has put the 28-year-old from Stonebridge on his show at Harrow Leisure Centre on Saturday, June 28. Muwenge turns over after a 16-8 amateur career with All Stars ABC after deciding to become a fighter a decade ago.
“The Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao fight (in May 2015) is what ignited the fire,” said the chatty Muwenge, whose family come from the Congo.
“It was the biggest fight at the time. Floyd was No. 1 (in the pound-for-pound lists) and Pacquiao was No. 2.
“I watched it in a bar at the University of Hertfordshire and thought to myself: ‘I could do that one day.’
“I played football and rugby with friends, but nothing competitive, and when I looked for boxing gyms in my area, I found All Stars.”
That is where coaches Steve Palmer and Errol Jarrett taught him the basics.
“I’m 6ft 2ins and have adapted to fighting taller guys, guys who are 6ft 6ins and 6ft 7ins.
“I’ve got too much muscle to go down to cruiserweight.
“Defence is important to me, like it was for Floyd. I’m a small heavyweight and everyone in this division can hit hard. I’m putting my health on the line every time. If I use head movement, footwork and a tight guard I’m going to be hard to hit.
“I have to be tricky and slippery. The style is to discourage you, make you miss and stop you hitting me to break your spirit. That’s how I beat you.
“I’m faster than the other heavyweights and speed is everything at this weight.”
Muwenge says that when he isn’t working as a delivery driver or in a warehouse or training, he’s watching fights on YouTube and Chris Byrd is a favourite.
Byrd won middleweight silver at the 1992 Olympic Games and went on to win heavyweight honours in the pros.
“He did it with speed,” said Muwenge. “I watch all the smaller guys, I take something from all of them.”
