MERVEN CLAIR BACKS INTRODUCTION OF AFBC PRO BOXING

Two-time Olympian Merven Clair of Mauritius (left) and Togo's De Souza Kokou Vinyo will square it out in the light-middleweight division in the January 24 Tunis card.

MERVEN CLAIR BACKS INTRODUCTION OF AFBC PRO BOXING

Mauritius’ celebrated boxer Merven Clair can’t wait to step into the ring on January 24 in Tunisia for the first ever AFBC Pro Boxing contest at the Sidi Boussaid Gymnasium in Tunis.

The two-time Olympian fully supports the introduction of pro boxing by the African body.

“It’s an honour for me to participate in the first ever AFBC Professional Boxing Gala Night as I have taken part in so many amateur competitions with only medals at stake but now I’ll be fighting for money. It’s a very good initiative for the African boxers,” Clair told boxersworld.co.ke in a telephone interview.

Clair said the introduction of AFBC Pro Boxing could not have come at a better time when the global economic situation is wobbling.

“I’m very impressed our African boxing body has introduced a professional boxing event as this will help us financially when right now things aren’t good worldwide,” said Clair.

“When the African boxers go to Europe, we hardly make any money as they have more support and thorough preps than us, so this is a very good idea for AFBC having their own professional boxing event to benefit African boxers. I hope they have arranged more series. I also appeal to sponsors to support this initiative meant to benefit African boxers.

“I call upon all boxing stakeholders including African Presidents to support AFBC Pro Boxing and make it bigger with attractive prize money to improve the lives of African boxers. I’m sure with good organisation, honesty and discipline and without any interference for sure this is a wonderful project. I appeal to the organisers to pay us immediately after our fights to avoid any delay.”

The 32-year-old Clair, who is a two-time Olympian, will fight Togo’s De Souza Kokou Vinyo in the light-middleweight division in the January 24 AFBC Pro Boxing extravaganza in Tunis.

What does he have to say on his opponent?

“I don’t know anything about my opponent, what I can say I have a lot of experience in African boxing despite the fact that it’ll be my first time to fight in six rounds. I heard that he’s a good boxer but what I can say I’ll go there for a win.”

A tactical southpaw boxer who draws his inspiration from American superstar Floyd Mayweather, Clair started boxing at the age of 13 through the influence of his uncle Herve Clair, a former boxer himself who won gold at the 1998 Indian Ocean Games in Reunion.

“My uncle inspired me to take up boxing, I wanted to be like him,” said Clair who equalled his uncle’s feat by winning gold in the 2015 Indian Ocean Games in Reunion.

Indeed Clair has emulated his uncle Herve and even superseded his achievements in the ring.