Kruger returns to EFC to face Englishman Bahati
Following an injury-enforced hiatus spanning over a year, local EFC star JP ‘Tinkerbell’ Kruger will make a return to the hexagon this Friday (May 13) for the vacant middleweight title showdown against Englishman Yannick ‘The Black Mamba’ Bahati.
The two will headline EFC Africa’s latest instalment, EFC 49, which will be held at Carnival City’s Big Top Arena.
The two will be looking to make the ultimate cash-in as they seek to be crowned king of the middleweight division following former champion Liam Cleland’s recent enforced retirement due to injury and subsequently relinquishing the title.
It was then soon announced that Kruger would face Poland international Rafal ‘The Polish Tank’ Haratyk for the vacant belt. The latter, however, suffered an injury which caused him to pull out of the fight.
So although unfortunate, injury, which has denied Kruger from competing for about 15 months and potentially challenging for the title sooner, has ironically opened his path to a shot at gold.
Asked how he was preparing for the big fight, Kruger responded: “By living the life of a world champion: training, eating, resting and thinking like one. I’ve got an amazing team behind me.
“All my training partners and coaches are pushing me to the limit so my opponent will never have that opportunity to win the title.
“I’m super blessed… I feel this is my time and I want to keep the belt here in South Africa. I’m hungry for this fight.
“I’m coming out to make the cage my pulpit: praising and worshipping Jesus. I’m humbled that the Lord is using a simple man like me.”
Meanwhile, Andrew ‘One Gear’ van Zyl will clash with Poland’s Tomasz ‘Kredka’ Kowalkowski in a heavyweight main event curtain raiser.
Other fights include Themba Gorimbo vs Joe Cummins, Abdul Hassan vs JP Buys and Brendon Katz vs Wesley Hawkey. – @SabeloBoksburg
