AFTER winning the vacant Commonwealth super-flyweight title at the Ponds Forge Arena in his hometown of Sheffield last time out in March, Tommy Frank makes the first defence of his belt this Friday (July 5) at the same venue. Opposing the unbeaten 25-year-old on this Dennis Hobson promotion, live on FreeSports, is Tanzania’s Jemsi Kibazange, 23.
When claiming the Commonwealth crown, Frank, 10-0 (2), caught the eye by dropping the gritty Luke Wilton four times en route to a fourth-frame stoppage success. Prior to this, he hadn’t been considered a puncher. Like Frank, Kibazange has a low knockout ratio, with just one of his 12 victories coming via KO (against three defeats and two draws). The Dar-Es-Salaam resident has only made one appearance outside of his home nation. That was in September in the Philippines when he was halted in three rounds by Carlo Caesar Penalosa of the famous fighting family. Boasting a six-inch height advantage over his diminutive 5ft 1in opponent, the energetic Frank can soften Kibazange up with solid jabs before finishing him off inside the distance.
The Verdict Frank will be aiming for another power-punching performance.
